We shall play in Africa, Vipers coach confirms
Vipers defender Yusuf Mukisa (left) and attacker Miya embrace after the club won the League title on Friday. Photo by Ismail Kezaala
Kampala- The small issue of a pending SC Villa appeal notwithstanding, champions-elect Vipers will care less as they are already celebrating their second league title in five years following Friday’s 2-0 victory over the Jogoos.
The celebrations at Nakivubo from Vipers fans, coaches and players alike, coupled with applause from Villa fans at full time and utter resignation from the Blues hierarchy told who the deserving Azam Uganda Premier League’s (UPL) winners were.
“We can now fully focus on the Uganda Cup (against KCC) as the league is now gone,” admitted Villa’s second half substitute Abdul-Karim Kasule, “We didn’t give enough. We had a bad day but the best team won, the best team is the champion.” Vipers coach Edward Golola was on the other hand overjoyed after landing his second title with the club, the first coming in 2010 when they were called Bunnamwaya. Vipers top on 66 points, four ahead of Villa with a game to spare.
“I’m very pleased with my players,” Golola told Sunday Monitor, “What impressed me more is that they played according to instructions by not allowing Villa space in the midfield, and they showed great character.
“It’s not been an easy season because teams were strong but I’m happy with my players’ attitude.” Yet disappointing memories still cloud Vipers’ first league title five years ago. After being crowned champions at Namboole in 2010, the then Bunnamwaya failed to represent in the Caf Champions League citing financial constraints.
The reason came as a surprise as the club were/still are owned by the then Fufa president Lawrence Mulindwa and proprietor of one of the best schools around, St Mary’s Kitende, to whom – at least to those who know him – the purse has never been lightweight.
But Golola is assuring whoever cares to listen that Vipers, who will quash any temporary doubts created by Villa’s pending appeal with victory over Bul in their final game next Tuesday, will represent on the continent now. “I want to assure our fans and everybody that this time there is no worry,” he said, “The boss (Mulindwa) has assured us that the money is there and that we are 100 per cent sure we shall represent on the continent.
“And I trust and believe in my team that for the last three years, we have formed a team good enough to unlock any defence on the continent.” That waits to be seen.
