David GOMBE
Final Day Fixtures
Table Standings
It all comes down to the final day as SC Villa, BUL FC, Vipers and Kitara battle it out for the Uganda Premier League title.
For City, SC Villa they are without a top-flight title for 20 years since the 2003/04 season.
The title is in Villa’s hand after a comeback 2-1 win over URA FC put them back above BUL and Vipers in the table.
The victory against the tax collectors meant that the title fate is all in SC Villa’s own hands.
Just one game now stands in their way as they take on tricky NEC FC at the Philip Omondi Stadium on Saturday.
NEC are under the stewardship of former SC Villa striker Hussein Mbalangu who warned them not to expect favours.
Last season, the 16 time league champions flattered suffering defeat to the tax collectors on the final day handing the title to Vipers SC.
Coming into the contest against NEC, Dusan Stojanovic’s men have won their previous three games including two comeback wins against both Wakiso Giants (3-2) and URA FC (2-1). They also overcome relegation fighting UPDF 2-0.
Stojanovic can join his fellow countryman Milutin Sredojević Micho’s to guide SC Villa to the league title. Ironically, Micho is the last man to win Villa a league title.
If the Jogoos get all three points from their final game then they can celebrate without even having to check the scores of the other title contenders.
A win would make it impossible for BUL, Vipers and Kitara to catch them in the table.
Team News
SC Villa will be without their central defender Cyrus Kibande but the rest of the squad is available for selection.
Players to watch
Patrick Jonah Kakande arguably the best player this campaign, Umar Lutalo, Ronald Ssekiganda and Kenneth Semakula are expected to be key for SC Villa as they seek a record extending 17th league title on the final day.
Win for Kakande and Co will see them move into the footsteps of Denis Onyango, Timothy Batabire, Andrew Mukasa, Hakim Magumba, Edgar Watson, Paul Mukatabala and the great Majid Musisi.
NEC will aim to spoil the party with the likes of Joseph Dhata who has 12 goals across all competitions this term, Cromwell Rwothomio and Allan Mugalu are the others.
Head to Head
The two sides have only met once in the league with SC Villa smiling to a 3-0 win over NEC at Wankulukuku in the first round.
A similar result for the Jogoos will on Saturday will hand them a record extending 17th league title.
