SC Villa were the biggest beneficiaries in the race to survive the drop after they picked up a 2-1 home win over second from bottom side Mbarara City at the Fufa Technical Centre in Njeru yesterday.
With four of the bottom seven sides in action on the day, the Jogoos were the only team to pick maximum points in a result that saw them rise from 12th to 10th position on the 16-team log.
SC Villa Greek Coach Pretros Koukouras (L) gives instructions to Salim Abudallah (R). Photo/ Eddie Chicco
Going clear
With four games left the Jogoos to have 28 points from 26 games, four ahead of Bright Stars who occupy the third and final relegation spot.
The latter has however played two games less.
Villa fans will however still savour the victory which saw them leapfrog Gaddafi and Busoga United in a tight race that sees the three teams separated by just two points.
Sadam Masereka was the key architect for Villa scoring one and assisting the other as Villa resuscitated their survival hopes.
The Jogos looked pale in the first half but returned strong fluffing their feathers in celebration with two quick-fire goals just after the break.
Ronald Otti diverted a Saddam Masereka low cross into his own net two minutes after the breather before Masereka sealed his man-of-the-match performance with a goal of his own just seconds after with a powerful low shot that troubled Muhammad Ssekeba before rolling in.
Unlikely
Mbarara threatened a comeback with Solomon Okwalinga converting from the spot after the centre referee George Olemu judged Davis Sekajja to have handled inside the box but that remained a consolation.
“The win is very important because we had a very long bad run,” The man of the match Masereka said after the game. “The coach urged us to concentrate on the game to pick points and that is what we did in the second half.”
Unfortunate
The loss leaves the Ankole Lions wallowing in 15th position with 22 points and increasingly looking likely to join Tooro United whose 1-0 loss to UPDF leaves them needing to win all their remaining games as Mbarara, Bright Stars and Police lose all their games left.
Villa legends unite to whip up the players
SC Villa is in a dire state of despair. Their next three StarTimes Uganda Premier League matches against Mbarara City, Bul and Police could determine their survival chances.
Not since beating Wakiso Giants on March 30 have the Jogoos won again in the league. The future looks bleak every passing minute.
The management is restless and torn between relieving Greek coach Petros Koukouras of his duties or rallying behind him to save the lingering ignominy.
Former players Paul Mukatabala and Andy Mwesigwa are deeply concerned and descended on the team’s training camp in Ntinda to arouse the boys.
“The mental attitude of the current crop of players is too weak. None of them knows why they are putting on the coveted SC Villa jersey. It has to stop now if are to avoid the drop,” Mukatabala told Daily Monitor yesterday.
Former cranes skipper and Villa Legend Andy Mwesigwa. photo/ Big eye.com
Ahead of today’s delicately poised duel with relegation candidates Mbarara City, Mukatabala, a former Villa coach, was invited to East High-Ntinda playground alongside Mwesigwa to remind the players about the club’s long-held plight.
“I told them that we must trounce equally troubled Mbarara City and Police to get six points that will thrust us into the safe zone,” he said.
“For now it is not about blaming the strikers for not scoring but trying to get the win collectively and fighting in the games of our lives.”
Record league winners Villa have 25 points from 25 matches in 12th spot, one better than Police and Soltilo Bright Stars. Sadiq Sempigi’s Mbarara City visit Njeru sitting second from bottom and two points from safety.
Nervy season end.
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