By Peter Tabu
SC Villa coach Moses Basena has insisted before that his team was a work in progress and that despite all their failings, they will pull through.
This after the record Uganda league champions succumbed to a 3-2 loss at home to 2016/2017 champions KCCA FC on Tuesday evening. Villa are now winless in seven having lost four games and drawn three, their worst start in the club’s history.
The latest loss condemned Basena’s charges to 15th and could be bottom of the table if Maroons defeat Onduparaka in Arua on Wednesday.
KCCA’s win on the other hand places the Lugogo-based side two points above Vipers, who, at 13 points visit Express FC on Wednesday.
Basena’s men in blue started brightly with midfielder Albert Mugisa scoring a scorcher from outside the box after 15 minutes. Three minutes later KCCA FC skipper and centre back Timothy Awany made a mazy run on the left, leaving Villa’s Manko Kaweesa for dead before crossing for Julius Poloto who nodded home to level matters.
Villa knew they had to keep the heat on and had Bashir Mutanda to blame in the 25th minute after he failed to tap home Charles Lukwago’s spilled ball at close range. Eight minutes later Julius Poloto crossed the ball into the box, only for Manko Kaweesa to put it in his own net. The visitors could have made it three but Mike Mutyaba failed to connect with Allan Kyambadde’s cross.
Before half time though winger Mutanda heading home to sum up the first half at 2-2.
After recess, coach Mutebi rang the changes, bringing on Jackson Nunda for Lawrence Bukenya. The change proved vital as Nunda scored with his first touch of the ball on 60 minutes off a Julius Poloto throw in.
Basena brought on midfielder Mike Sserumaga to create a spark but the move didn’t pull through.
For Mutebi, it was a deserved win but the team didn’t play well.
“We had a great game but we did not play well. We had careless mistakes in defence and we also were not using the ball well”.
UPL Tuesday Results
Villa 2 – 3 KCCA
Bul 0-0 URA
Ndejje 0-3 Bright Stars
Nyamityobora 0-1 Jinja
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