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Police aim at misfiring Villa
SC Villa (in white) has flattered to deceive this season. PHOTO/JOHN BATANUDDE
What you need to know:
The struggling Jogoos, under the stewardship of Morley Byekwaso, face a daunting task against a Police side that has been both consistent and threatening this season.
Despite their well-known ties to SC Villa, the Police technical bench - led by Simon Peter Mugerwa alongside deputies Nestroy Kizito and Robert Ssekwayana - has vowed to show no mercy when the two sides face off today at Wankulukuku Stadium.
Whereas Mugerwa and Ssekweyama had brief spells as coaches at Villa Park, former Uganda Cranes marauding left-back Kizito fits the bill of a Villa legend.
The struggling Jogoos, under the stewardship of Morley Byekwaso, face a daunting task against a Police side that has been both consistent and threatening this season.
“Villa are good at home, but we have also been doing well in away games,” warned Mugerwa.
“Our strikers - Isaac Ogwang, James Obedi, and Denis Kalanzi - will attack them. We will capitalize on our strengths to neutralize their strongest point - the midfield. Daniel Otto, Ryan Ahabwe, and Emmanuel Mugume will tame them.”
Contrasting styles, fortunes
The match promises to be a clash of contrasting styles, with Villa’s counterattacking approach going head-to-head with Police’s cautious yet direct play, which thrives on well-orchestrated wing attacks.
Mugerwa believes that the record champions are at their most vulnerable, having suffered a defeat to Nec and a draw against Lugazi in their last two outings.
“Victory over the Jogoos will inspire us because we have that Villa background,” Mugerwa remarked.
“We are not targeting individual players, but we will capitalize on their well-known problems.”
Byekwaso, on the other hand, has recently bemoaned his players’ nagging inconsistency, a problem that has plagued Villa throughout the season.
It remains to be seen whether marquee players like Patrick Kakande, Hakim Kiwanuka, Ronald Ssekiganda, and Charles Lwanga can heed their coach’s clarion call and rise to the occasion to repel the daring Cops’ onslaught in their backyard.
Should Villa continue to falter, the pressure on Byekwaso will inevitably mount, casting a shadow over his tenure.
Police, winners in 2005, are sixth in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League with 16 points from 11 matches while the 17- time kings are a point and a position adrift.
Nakivubo derby
Meanwhile, fireworks are expected today in the newly established 'Nakivubo derby' as high-flying Express hosts faceless URA.
It is a tale of mixed fortunes as third-placed Express, with 19 points from 11 matches, seeks to close the gap on league leaders Nec (26 points from 12 matches) and second-placed Vipers (23 points from 11 matches).
On the other hand, URA sits a distant ninth with 15 points, still grappling with the challenge of assembling a consistent starting eleven and struggling to establish a recognizable style of play.
URA boss Alex Isabirye, a former Express forward and coach, will pit his wits against Badru Kaddu, who is seeking to collect another prized scalp after stunning KCCA at Lugogo last week.
Kaddu, who is unbeaten in his last four matches against Villa, Mbarara City, Bul, and KCCA, is expected to stick to the same starting team that valiantly held its ground against the Lugogo giants.
The stage is set for an enthralling tactical showdown between two coaches with contrasting strategies but a shared hunger for victory.
StarTimes Uganda Premier League
Friday fixtures
SC Villa vs. Police, 4pm
Express vs URA , 7pm
