SC Villa coach makes no excuses for visit to URA

Kampala- Topflight football returns with 16-time record champions, SC Villa, resuming another attempt at keeping in – at least - the top four, with a trip to the Arena of Visions, Ndejje to face URA the first second round test.

There will be another clash in Western Uganda to set alight the upcountry mood when ‘home’ crowd pullers Tooro and Onduparaka also get their second term acts underway.

Back in the central, for a team that survived relegation on their knees last season, fourth place for a first round return is quite some progress for Villa. Coach Kaziba now wants Villa – who, on 27 points are nine behind leaders Vipers – to go only upward as they open their second round act.

“The corresponding fixture (vs URA {1-1}) in the first round was controversial with venue uncertainty in the run-up and a bad pitch,” he said.
“But we don’t want any excuses now. We know the task at hand and we are ready for it. We know URA is a good team but we equally are, and all the players we want to use are available for selection.”

Villa’s David Owori and Ambrose Kirya should shoulder responsibility to breach enemy lines at the Arena of Visions, but Kaziba will miss forward Bashir Mutanda, who has just resumed training after recovering from illness.

On their part, URA and coach Sam
But Ssimbwa still has Shafik Kagimu, who returns with a wealth of experience having featured prominently for the Uganda Cranes in Cecafa in December, and Saidi Kyeyune to unlock Villa defence.

“The time with the national team was of course great,” said Kagimu, “I hope to use the experience and we expect a good match against Villa.” URA are two places and seven points behind Villa.

SECOND ROUND: OPENING FIXTURES
Today
URA vs SC Villa Arena of Visions 4:00pm
Live on Sanyuka TV
Tooro vs Onduparaka, St Paul’s Seminary, 4:30pm
Wednesday
KCCA vs Mbarara City, Lugogo, 4:30pm
Busoga vs Express, The Mighty Arena, 4:30pm
Friday
Vipers vs Kyetume, St. Mary’s Stadium, 4:30pm
Maroons vs Proline, Luzira Prisons, 4:30pm
Saturday
Bright Stars vs BUL, Kavumba, 4:00pm
Wakiso Giants vs Police, Kyabaggu, 4:00pm