Villa to face Vipers in Uganda Cup

KAMPALA.

Uganda Premier League leaders Vipers have drawn third placed SC Villa in the all-Premiership tie in the semifinal of the Uganda Cup, while Fufa Big League strugglers Synergy play holders KCCA in the other contest.
In what is smolderingly emerging as a fierce local rivalry between Vipers and Villa, the Venoms boast of control after getting a tonic double over the Jogoos in the league this season. “It is not easy to lose home and away twice, this tie is in our favor this time,” Villa head coach Wasswa Bbosa told Daily Monitor yesterday after the draws were conducted at Fufa House-Mengo.
“The problems (nasty infighting between coaching staff) have eased in our camp and now the players are focused. We have pressure and it is normal but we are looking at winning the Uganda Cup trophy,” he added.
Vipers’ technical director Eddie Butindo thinks Villa will bounce back stronger after the ugly altercation between Bbosa and his deputy Paul Mukatabala after the 1-0 league loss to UPDF at Bombo.
“I don’t expect them to be affected by the quarrels. Sometimes people benefit from fighting, I see Villa turning up stronger,” Butindo revealed.
He says although most clubs have raised their game levels, Vipers have the potential of winning their first double this season.
KCCA manager Mike Mutebi didn’t downplay the threat posed by dark horses Synergy but expressed gratitude at evading Vipers and Villa – at least for now.
“Although they are in the Fufa Big League, Synergy plays attacking football like us. Their coach (Brian Ssenyondo) is doing a good job of elevating youngsters like Nicholas Kasozi (now at Villa) and Solomon Okwalinga (at KCCA),” Mutebi said. “We want to win the Uganda Cup and defend the league that is why we are braced for a thrilling finish this season.”
After ejecting Busula, Masavu and Proline to get to this level, Ssennyondo believes Synergy can shock KCCA.