KCCA make light work of Villa

Edward Kaziba and Ibrahim Kirya have done a commendable job at record 16-time league champions SC Villa transforming the side from relegation candidates last season to harbouring hopes competing for this season’s title.

But against the team that replaced them as the dominant side in the country, were offered a reminder that they are perhaps not yet at the level of reigning champions KCCA going down 4-1 at the Startimes Stadium on Friday.

The latter, playing after Uganda Premier League awarded Vipers an extra two points for Maroons fielding an ineligible player in their game, KCCA showed they will not surrender their title without a fight.

Apart from an opening 10-minute spell when the backtracking Charles Lukwago was forced to tip over Nicholas Kabonge’s effort and some indecisiveness from Ambrose Kirya, Villa were second best.

They were then punished thereafter for slack defending with Joseph Kafumbe pouncing after Ibrahim Kibumba failed to head clear a Musa Ramathan cross on 10 minutes.

Young forward Sam Ssenyonjo then intercepted Nicholas Kabonge’s pass before teeing up the in-form Erisa Sekisambu who rifled home the second against his former side. The contest was by then pretty much decided with further strikes from Mustafa Kizza who caught Villa goalkeeper Saidi Keni unaware and an Allan Okello calm finish after being set up by Ssenyonjo adding gloss to the score-line.

Amir Kakomo did pull a goal back for Villa after deflecting Derrick Ndahiro’s cross to reduce the margin at 3-1 but Villa never looked likely of adding to their 27 points.

KCCA consequently leapfrogged them into second with 29 points, seven behind leaders Vipers. KCCA conclude the first round with a game against Proline on Tuesday.