By Shafic Kiyaga
SC Villa return to league action today on Match Day Five with a visit of high flying URA FC, who are fresh off the heels of a not so disappointing 1-1 draw against Maroons.
Sam Ssimbwa’s side have won two and drawn two of their four opening league games and are currently lying fourth while Villa have made a more inauspicious start failing to win any game (registering just two draws).
With defeats to Onduparaka and rivals Vipers in their first quartet of matches, the Jogoo need a victory at Mandela National stadium in Tuesday’s crunch tie.
SC Villa coach Moses Basena, who comes up against his former employees will be under immense pressure, especially after failing to win a game so far. The manner in which they threw away an early lead in their 3-1 home defeat to bitter rivals Vipers is also still under scrutiny.
But the Tax Collectors, who are among the three teams not to have lost a game so far this season and have conceded just a single goal, will not make for an easy afternoon for the Jogoo who have played some good football but have failed to turn out the results that they would have liked.
With players such as Vitalis Tabu and Shafic Kagimu hitting form at the right time, Ssimbwa will expect some attacking football from his team.
On the other hand Basena has decried the lack of strength and quality for his team’s recent poor run of form.
Villa have not secured a league victory at Mandela National Stadium but have a slightly more favourable record at home. Last season, they picked up four points against URA especially during their dominant 3-0 display against their opponents in their last home game. But they will find themselves in a different situation especially regards URA’s recent form.
Defender Paul Mbowa and impressive Tabu will have to turn guns against their former teammates with the aim of inflicting damage to any hope of resurgence. And he has promised not to celebrate any goals out of respect for Villa, a club that bore him. Villa also have former URA man, Ajab Abdulrahman to offer any form of know-how.
Ssimbwa has no fresh injury concern and he will once again have to turn to Kagimu, Tabu and Peter Lwasa for any offensive options, but few changes from the team that played against Vipers are expected to be rung by Basena.
Startimes Uganda Premier League
Match Day Five – Fixtures
Villa vs URA
Jinja vs Vipers
Maroons vs BUL
Ndejje University vs Paidha Black Angels
Nyamityobora vs Police
Onduparaka vs Bright Stars
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