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SC Villa coach, Zeljko Kovacevic re-affirmed his team’s intentions to treat each of the remaining eight Uganda Premier League (UPL) fixtures as cup finals.
This followed Villa’s 1-0 win over KCCA FC last Saturday, April 11 at the Fufa stadium, Kadiba. Yet, true to Kovacevic’s perspective, Villa have another cup final, when they host UPL table leaders, Vipers SC under the floodlights of Kadiba on Wednesday, April 15.
This is arguably the peak of all the league games lined up this week, although it simply highlights the heat in this year’s title race, too. While last season’s title run-in was between Vipers and NEC FC alone, this time, four teams, just like in the 2023/24 season have a realistic opportunity to win the league.
That should prove exciting. Going into match-day 23, Vipers, who drew goalless with Kitara FC in their last fixture almost a week ago, lead the race with 51 points, just seven ahead of Villa, who are fourth. As a result of that, all the Jogoos need is victory.
While the first round clash between the two teams ended 1-1, Villa has to win this time, in order to close the gap on Vipers to four points. If that were to happen, inevitably, the defending champions would feel the pressure, while momentum would have shifted to Villa.
Oftentimes, championships are won on momentum, especially during such pressure moments. But considering that Vipers have failed to score in open play during their last two games, they do not appear to be enjoying a purple patch.
Notably, it is almost the same case for KCCA FC. Of late, the Kasasiro boys have not experienced the best of form; they were knocked out of the Uganda Cup before Villa dented their championship ambitions.
Yet, KCCA are just six points behind Vipers. The two are due to meet in the title run-in, too, at Lugogo, and without a doubt, KCCA, even though look troubled currently, may not need much to lift their morale again.
This will not be the first time this season, that KCCA has gone into a dip in form, yet managed to bounce back. Therefore, one can only write off KCCA at their own peril.
Perhaps, KCCA have an opportunity on Friday, April 17 to restore their flagging title hopes if they manage to beat Kitara. In the first round, both Kitara and KCCA drew 1-1 in Hoima.
That was on the opening day of this season. But lest one has forgotten, Kitara’s last visit to Lugogo last season ended in a 2-0 defeat. A similar result, would mean that KCCA leapfrog Kitara into second place on 48 points; possibly three behind Vipers, if they lose to Villa.
With such a scenario, the league would inevitably take on a new twist. The top four teams on the table would be a lot closer to each other in the standings, creating a lot more excitement in the league.
It should be noted that Kitara has won five of its nine away game so far this season. This suggests that they are not bad travellers. In addition, considering the experienced squad Kitara have, comprising of former league winners, Murushid Jjuuko, George Ssenkaaba, Patrick Kaddu, and Issa Lumu among others, their coach Wasswa Bbosa, who guided Express FC to the league title in 2021, sees no reason why they cannot put up a challenge for league honours this season.
That said, this season is living up to the billing of recent seasons, that have been on the knife-edge. Vipers may still be favourites, but only just due to their tag of defending champions.
Yet, considering the number of opponents the top four teams still have to face-off with, say, Villa due to travel to face Kitara, too, for example, the title race is indeed heating up.
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