Uganda Cup memoirs: Ex-KCC star blames Villa for their double woes
The KCC team that featured at the 1984 Cecafa East and Central Club Championship: Standing L-R Moses Nsereko (RIP), Joseph Mulego (RIP), John Latigo, Peter Wandyete, George Sserunjogi and Fred Mugisha (RIP). Squatting L-R John Kaweesi, Fred Musisi Kiyingi, Joseph Ssekitto (RIP), John Tebusweke and Sam Mugambe. PHOTO courtesy of the observer
What you need to know:
Soccer. The 1983 grudge final between KCC and SC Villa ended in the former’s favour but, according to former KCC winger Fred Musisi Kiyingi, that game is the reason the Lugogo-based side have never won a double
Kampala.
Vipers threw the spanner in the works. It is because of coach Edward Golola’s side, the new league champions, that SC Villa and KCC go into Saturday’s highly-billed Uganda Cup final in Ntugamo, West Uganda, not gunning for a double.
Their sides having finished second and third in the league respectively, SC Villa coach Ibrahim Kirya and KCC’s Abdallah Mubiru know this is their only chance at silverware.
The last time the two giants met in the competition was 25 years ago, then KCC 3-0 winners. Actually, KCC have beaten Villa twice of the three Cup finals the two have met.
But Fred Musisi Kiyingi, who featured in the very first finals clash between the two sides - in 1983, up until now says it is because of that 1-0 loss at Nakivubo that KCC remain the only one of the traditional big three never to have won a league and cup double.
“SC Villa had won the league the previous year unbeaten and were intent on weakening KCC,” said Musisi, now an editor at Daily Monitor and Ennyanda, a sister Luganda sports paper.
The grudge build-up to the final was informed by KCC players Jimmy Kirunda, Jamil Kasirye, Davis Kamoga and academy coach George Mukasa crossing to Villa.
“We had taken the league title from Villa and this was our chance to win our first double,” added the veteran journalist.
“So the loss was very painful because we didn’t win the double. It has remained elusive since then.” On the contrary, Villa have since won six doubles, with Express the only other club to win a league and cup double – in 1995.
The game: SC Villa 1-0 KCC (1983)
KCC dominated earlier spells but could not break down Villa, who were missing new signing Kirunda. The defender had walked out of the Villa camp two weeks earlier due to disagreements with the Villa management, according to The Observer’s Hassan Badru Zziwa.
Villa finally broke the deadlock late on Sula Sentamu latching onto a Rogers Nsubuga through pass to beat John Tebusweke in goal. Villa had won their first Cup final and set foundation for many more to come.
SC Villa: Jamil Kasirye (Captain), Dan Lutalo, Godffrey Kisitu,John Jumba, Paul Hasule, Moses Ndaula, Shaban Mwinda, Ronnie Vubya, Fred Serwadda, Rogers Nsubuga, Sula Sentamu, Davis Kamoga, Sam Mubiru , Sunday Mokili, George Mukasa (coach) and Eriab Kamya (Team Manager)
KCC: John Tebusweke, Yusuf Ssonko, Charles Katumba, Peter Wandyette, John Latigo, Sam Musenze (Captain),Charles Masiko, Fred Mugisha, Moses Nsereko (Coach/player), Sam Mugambe, Peter Mazinga
KAKUNGULU CUP
SC Villa doubles
1986, 1988, 1989, 1998, 2000, 2002
Express double
1995
Most finals defeats
KCC – 6
Express – 4
Record champions
Express - 10
UGANDA CUP FINAL
Ntungamo
SC Villa vs KCC
4pm, Saturday at Kyamate Sports Ground
