Africa: Villa not certain of representing Uganda

SC Villa defender Yeseri Waibi in action against Sports Club Victoria University in the Uganda Premier League. Photo by I. Kezaala

Kampala.

Uganda Cup winners SC Villa are yet to make a decision whether to participate in next season’s Caf Confederations Cup with the deadline for registration only 10 days away according to Fufa Licensing Committee Chairman Patrick Bernard Ogwel.

“It is true we asked for more time because playing on the continent needs a lot of resources,” confirmed club president Ben Misagga while expressing surprise at the federation’s decision to contact rivals KCCA as replacements.

“We are still looking for partners and this being a community club you don’t just wake up one day and decide. We are not like institutional clubs like Police, URA or KCCA,” he added.

Ogwel told the media during Wednesday’s Fufa weekly press briefing that the federation had since notified KCCA of the impending opportunity in case Villa fails to beat the deadline which also requires them to deposit $10,000 as security fee.

KCCA contacted
When contacted KCCA chairman Julius Kabugo acknowledged having been contacted informally by the federation about the issue.
“We have been depositing the $10,000 because of our involvement in the Caf Champions League over the past two seasons.
“We were supposed to receive that money this week and that is when that issue came up so we are covered,” Kabugo explained.
Misagga meanwhile also explained that last week’s Villa-Star Times five year partnership deal worth Shs260 million every season will cater for league engagements and not their continental exploits.

He also refuted the suggestion that club’s indifferent start to the season which saw them fire Spanish coach Antonio Flores would influence the club’s decision to participate.

“It has nothing to do with the players’ performances insisted Misagga whose 11th placed SC Villa are also in league action today with a game against bottom of the table side Maroons.
Vipers who have already paid the security fee of $10,000 to the Fufa accounts plus the $ 500 as registration fees were the last Ugandan team to fail to feature on the continent after winning the league in 2010.

Uganda Premier League today

The Saints vs. Lweza
(Live on Azam TV @4pm in Namboole)
SC Villa vs. Maroons
Wankulukuku