SC Villa search for relief; on the pitch as league kicks off
What you need to know:
- Off the Namboole match day venue; although they are still training at Villa Park; the club’s spiritual home in Nsambya has since had part of it graded by UNRA for the establishment of the Clock Tower flyover. The land belonged to the Railway Corporation. Villa have to look for a home.
New coaching staff, a sizeable number of new players and a lost home! For the umpteenth time SC Villa kick off a new StarTimes Uganda Premier League (SUPL) season having to start all over again.
Moses Basena, Wasswa Bbosa’s successor, embarked on a project to bring Villa back on track last season, but struggled to win a match with a collection of mostly aspiring and recycled footballers. He was to resign a few miles into the season, and be replaced by Douglas Bamweyana, who himself – despite steering Villa to safety late on quit with a match to go after sustained fan pressure.
Edward Kaziba, also Crested Cranes assistant coach, takes over such a setting, with an administration that forever seems to still be figuring out things. League newcomers Kyetume at Namboole tonight is the first stop. Together with his assistant Ibrahim Kirya, the two have had to subject tens of intending footballers to trials after seeing over 10, including Mike Serumaga, Joseph Semujju, Ashraf Mandela and Pius Wangi among others, leave in off-season.
As a result, the club was still racing against time yesterday to have most of their new prospectus players licensed, which – in all honesty – comes back to administrative shortfalls.
“My prayer is that all our players are licensed in time because there is a lot of bureaucracy in the process,” said Kaziba, “We have been preparing well. It is important to start the league with victory.” Bashir Mutanda, together with skipper Asuman Alishe, Charles Lwanga and Ambrose Kirya are some of the core still at the club.
“We are prepared for tomorrow,” said Mutanda, “Although some players still have documentation to complete, the available ones we are ready to play and give 100 per cent. And I hope to score for the team tomorrow (today).” In Kyetume, coached by the respected George Nsimbe, Villa will not expect an easy ride. The league newcomers boast of experienced players like Vicent Kayizzi, striker Robert Ssentongo, and Elukhana Nkuggwa among others.
They have added new recruits in striker Seif Batte, Julius Ntambi and Siraje Turyamureba. “We believe our squad can compete and in our conversation with coach George, our target is to finish in the top five,” said club chairman Ruben Mubiru Kaggwa.
Off the Namboole match day venue; although they are still training at Villa Park; the club’s spiritual home in Nsambya has since had part of it graded by UNRA for the establishment of the Clock Tower flyover. The land belonged to the Railway Corporation. Villa have to look for a home.
STARTIMES UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE
Match Day One, Tonight
Kyetume FC vs. SC Villa
Namboole, 8pm, LIVE on StarTimes
Tomorrow, August 30, 2019:
URA vs. Maroons
Mandela National Stadium, Namboole
Bright Stars vs. Vipers SC
Mutesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku
Bul vs. Express
Fufa Technical Center, Njeru
Onduparaka vs. Police
Prisons Stadium, Luzira
Saturday, August 31, 2019
Tooro United vs. Busoga United
Mutesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku
KCCA FC vs. Wakiso Giants
Star Times Stadium, Lugogo
Mbarara City vs. Proline FC
Prisons Stadium, Luzira
