Team News
- SC Villa will be without new signing Denis Ojara and Tabu Oryem who are expected to stay sidelined for the whole first round
- Edward Masembe (Jaw fracture), Jonah Kakande (Knee), Umar Lutalo (Hamstring), Ronald Ssekiganda (Toe) and Joseph Kafumbe (Muscle) remained sidelined
- For Kitara, Dudu Ramathan has recovered and expected to face his former pay masters Villa
- Joseph Mbabali and Clinton Kamugisha still sidelined and will miss the league opener
Probable Lineups
•SC Villa – Meddie Kibirige, Peter Onzima, Kenneth Ssemakula, Gavin Kizito, Arnold Odong, Hamza Mulambuzi, David Ssekajja, David Owori, Ivan Bogere, Charles Lwanga, Patrick Kakande
•Kitara – Crispus Kusiima, Dudu Ramathan, David Kasaija, Benjamin Nyakoojo, Ibrahim Magandaazi, Frank Zaga, Paul Mucureezi, Jude Ssemugabi, Denis Omedi, Brian Aheebwa, Kabon Living
Preview: SC Villa Welcome Newcomers Kitara
SC Villa return to Wankulukuku against Kitara exactly 110 days since they lost 1-0 to URA FC, a result that denied them the league title on last day of the 2022/23 season.
SC Villa needed a win to be crowned champions, but fell to Najib Fesali’s goal that handed Vipers the title who got the job done against Busoga United.
Villa were never in title picture when the season started having finished just five points above relegation the previous season (2021/22).
A lot has changed since last season, mainly the club parting ways with Coach Jackson Magera while the club also lost big names like Gift Fred, Travis Mutyaba, Charles Bbaale among others.
Serbian Dusan Stojanovic is the new man in charge while there has been exciting new signings including the return of former captain Gavin Kizito.
They have been held a heavy blow in form of Denis Ojara’s injury who has since faced surgery, but the burden for goals will be carried by Charles Lwanga who returned from KCCA FC.
The Sh2.7bn Linglong Tire Sponsorship is the biggest locally, and the are other formidable changes in the Club administration like retired AIGP Asan Kasingye who was unveiled as the Club Spokesperson.
If the fans can maintain discipline (club was deducted points and ordered to play behind closed and in Lira for five home games last season) and more trust put in Stojanovic, this team has what it takes to go all the way.
Winning the first game is always a huge test, and they should win it to send warning bells across the division.
Kitara on the other hand, are returning in top division since their relegation in 2020/21.
Ironically, Kitara learnt their relegation at Wankulukuku where they suffered a 4-0 defeat against Express on May 24 2021.
That was a difficult campaign for Kitara who hosted some of their games away from home due to Club Licensing issues.
They ended that camping with just 13 points to suffer immediate return to FUFA Big League.
They failed on promotion the following season before earning it last season under the tutelate of Sam Ssimbwa who built on what Mark Twinamatsiko had started.
The Club parted ways with Ssimbwa who didn’t renew his contract after fulfilling his promotion mission, and Brian Ssenyondo was given the mantle to steer the club forward.
Many players (16) were released from the team that won the Big League title including Moses Sseruyidde, Godfrey Lwesibawa, John Wesley Kisakye, Farouk Katongole among others.
The former UPDF gaffer has made a couple of new signings, mostly those he has worked with at his previous clubs.
Jude Ssemugabi, George Ssenkaaba, Solomon Okwalinga, Donato Okello, Kabon Living, Shafic Magogo among others are some of the new signings
Pressure will be on Ssenyondo to produce results at an ambitious club with a huge and demanding fan base.
Truthfully, he will need more time with almost an entirely new squad, but a positive start at Wankulukuku can shape their season.
The Head To Head
- This will be the second meeting between SC Villa and Kitara in the Uganda Premier League.
- The first was in the first round of the 2020/22 season (second round meeting wasn’t played due to Covid)
- Villa won 3-2 with Faizo Kazibwe netting a late winner. Nicholas Kabonge and Joseph Nsubuga scored for Villa while Dennis Mande and Peter Lomoro were on target for Kitara in Bombo on February 20 2021.
The Stats
- Kitara has never won a Uganda Premier League game on the road. In 2020/21, they played 13 away games, drew two (MYDA and Kyetume) and lost the other 11.
- Last season in the FUFA Big League, Kitara were crowned champions with 61 points from 30 games
- Last season in UPL, Villa won 10 of their 14 home games, no draw and lost four (Wakiso Giants, KCCA, Arua Hill and URA)
- Last season, SC Villa beat Gaddafi 2-0 in their opening game – which was also played at Wankulukuku.
