- SC Villa has not won the Ugandan Premier League title in 20 years
- They will play NEC in the final match of the season
- They are one point ahead of second placed BUL
The Ugandan Premier League title hunt will be decided on the final day of the season this weekend, with SC Villa Jogoo, BUL FC and holders Vipers SC battling for the crown.
Villa head into the final day top of the standings with 54 points and fate in their own hands, as a win will be enough to see them end a 20-year wait for the elusive title.
The Jogoos take on 6th placed NEC, playing in their debut campaign in the premier league but have proved a tough nut to crack especially at the MTN Omondi stadium, Lugogo.
Head coach Dusan Stojanovic will hope his players fire from all cylinders, as they are on the verge of history for themselves.
Second placed BUL take on local rivals Busoga United in a highly anticipated clash at the Fufa Technical Centre, Njeru. Abbey Kikomeko’s men, on 53 points must win and hope Villa falters at Lugogo.
However, a draw could also be enough to help them clinch their maiden league title if Villa lose and Vipers don’t pick maximum points at home to Mbarara City. The two sides are tied on 53 points but BUL have a better head to head record.
The other title contender, Kitara, 51 points, host relegation threatened Gaddafi targeting all points hoping all those above them lose their respective matches.
Villa improve chances with win
SC Villa celebrate their win. PHOTO/Villa
Villa improved their chances of a first title in two decades after coming from behind to beat URA 2-1 and remain top of the standings in midweek.
The victory saw Villa move to 54 points, one ahead of second placed Vipers SC and BUL FC, and can wrap up the title, a record 17th crown, with victory this weekend.
Villa will win their first league title since 2004 if they beat NEC at Lugogo on Saturday, but any faltering could see BUL and Vipers pounce.
Bruno Bunyaga’s 79th minute goal put URA on course to continuing their unbeaten streak against Villa for years. But two strikes within a space of five minutes, first from Umar Lutalo on 82 minutes, and then a powerful shot from Kenneth Ssemakula outside the 18-yard box won the Jogoos the day and initiative.
Bunyaga headed home Saidi Kyeyune’s cross unmarked but lacklustre defending from URA, who failed to clear a long ball inside their area, allowed Lutalo to emphatically strike home an equaliser eight minutes from full time.
The stage was set for Villa captain, Ssemakula, to write the headlines, and write them with style he did. URA poorly cleared their lines after a Villa onslaught down the left. The loose ball then found its way to Pilsner Man of the Match, Ssemakula, some 30 yards away from goal.
History now also awaits SC Villa coach Dusan Stojanovic, who could become the second straight Serbian to win the league title with the Jogoos.
Former Uganda Cranes coach, Micho Sredojevic, is the last coach to win a league title with Villa in 2004.
Vipers keep the pressure and hope for win
Vipers’ Abdul Nsereko was named man of the match. PHOTO/Vipers
Meanwhile, defending champions Vipers, who won the title in dramatic fashion last season, will hope to win their game after ensuring they remained in title talk with a hard earned 2-1 victory over Busoga United at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.
The victory took the venoms to 53 points, just one behind leaders SC Villa. Fate is not on Vipers’ hands, and will hope Villa drop points in at least one match while they have to win both their games.
Abdul Nsereko scored the winner for Vipers, just a minute after Bashamu Mugwa had cancelled out Milton Karisa’s early opener.
Karisa broke the deadlock for Vipers in the 22nd minute when he finished calmly with a tap in from close range off an Allan Okello cross.
The game was tightly contested, but Vipers, went to the break with a slim lead. In the second half though, Busoga came back stronger and they levelled in the 66th minute through Mugwa’s deft finish.
However, straight from the restart, Vipers scored the second and what would be the winner, finding the back of the net just seven minutes after coming on as a substitute.
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