David GOMBE
SC Villa will be seeking to reach the quarterfinals of the Stanbic Uganda Cup when they visit Lugazi FC on Tuesday at Lugazi Stadium.
The nine time competition winners will be without their Star duo of Patrick Jonah Kakande and captain Ronald Ssekiganda who are in Egypt with the Uganda Cranes national team ahead of the World Cup Qualifier matches against Mozambique and Guinea.
Lugazi FC on the other hand will miss the services of their vice captain Nelson Mandela but will be boosted by the return of winger Alvin Birungi Twine and defender Akiram Massa.
This will only be the second meeting between the two sides with the first coming in the 1-1 draw at Wankulukuku in the league last year.
Lugazi FC beat fourth division side Mayuge United 2-0 at the round of 64 in January before defeating Big League side Calvary FC at the round of 32.
SC Villa thrashed Buganda regional league side Seeta United 3-0 in the round of 64 before overcoming Simba FC 1-0 in the round of 32 to reach the last 16.
Without their starman Kakande, SC Villa will look up to their top scorer in the league Charles Lwanga, veteran Sula Matovu and midfielder Elvis Ngonde for inspiration.
The Jogoos last won the competition in 2015 when they beat KCCA FC 3-0 in the last final to be held at Mandela National Stadium in Namboole. Last year’s SC Villa had their journey in the competition ended by eventual winners Kitara FC at the round of 16 stage.
