SC Villa eye UPL summit in crucial clash with BUL

Uganda Premier League

Today, 4pm

BUL v SC Villa

Tomorrow, 4pm

Mbarara v Lugazi

NEC v Kitara

Express v Buhimba

At 8pm

URA v Vipers

SC Villa travel to the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru today knowing that three points against BUL FC could send them to the summit of the Uganda Premier League (UPL) table.

With the title race finely balanced, the Jogoos enter the fixture as one of several sides separated by the narrowest of margins at the top.

Defending champions Vipers, Police and KCCA are all level on 27 points, while Villa and Entebbe UPPC follow closely on 26, with head-to-head records and goal difference determining the order.

Villa were not in action on Wednesday, but results elsewhere have opened a clear path for them to capitalise. Police and UPPC picked up wins, while KCCA dropped points away to Maroons, leaving Villa well placed to leapfrog their rivals with a positive result in Njeru.

Under Serbian coach Zeljko Kovacevic, Villa appears to be finding rhythm at a crucial stage of the season. They arrive on a three-match winning run, highlighted by an emphatic 3-0 victory over URA, followed by narrow but disciplined wins against Express and Calvary. Away from home, however, Villa’s form has been mixed, with defeats to Maroons and KCCA exposing occasional defensive vulnerability.

Villa’s attacking thrust is expected to come from a blend of new and established faces. Ibrahim Kasinde and Frank Ssebuufu have added energy, while Najib Yiga, Hassan Mubiru and Charles Lwanga provide pace and creativity in the final third.

BUL, meanwhile, are still adjusting to life under returning head coach Alex Isabirye, who is in charge for the second time since beginning his third spell at the club. 

The Eastern Giants are chasing back-to-back victories and will be eager to re-establish Njeru as a difficult venue. Their last home match ended in a damaging 3-1 defeat to Police, a result that ultimately cost Abbey Kikomeko his job.

Isabirye’s presence adds an intriguing subplot. The experienced tactician has on several occasions enjoyed success against Villa, whether during previous stints at BUL or while coaching URA and Vipers. 

BUL will rely on the experience of Karim Ndugwa, supported by Reagan Kalyowa, Martin Aprem and Jerome Kirya, to test Villa’s defensive organisation.

Elsewhere, the title picture could further shift tomorrow when Vipers face URA at Hamz Stadium Nakivubo in the headline fixture of a double-header. 

Express will first take on Buhimba United Saints, before URA coach Hussein Mbalangu pits his side against the champions. Mbalangu is seeking a response after beginning his reign with a 1-0 defeat to UPPC.

Vipers, meanwhile, will be without Allan Okello, their influential playmaker of the past two seasons, following his move to Young Africans of Tanzania.