• Uganda Premier League – Result
• SC Villa 2-1 Maroons

SC Villa fought from a goal down to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Maroons in the Uganda Premier League at the Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku on Thursday.

The game started at a high pace seeking an early opener in the end-to-end game.

Fred Amaku fired the visitors ahead in the eighth minute with a powerful low drive from outside the box to beat Villa custodian Meddie Kibirige.

Abraham Tusubira launched a counter attack catching SC Villa on the break as before setting up Amaku who was given a lot of space to shoot.

Hakim Kiwanuka had a chance to level matters in the 23^rd minute but Hannington Ssebwalunyo pulled off a stunning save to keep the score intact.

It was beautiful football and a sweet piece of interplay by Elvis Ngonde and Patrick Kakande but Kiwanuka wasted another golden chance to square the game.

Maroons were denied a clear penalty after Eric Ndihabwe’s shot in the box went off Arnold Odong’s hand but the centre referee waved away.

Coming back from the locker rooms, the hosts locked much better, throwing more bodies upfront and exchanging passes at a high speed.

Kakande levelled matters on top of the hour with a well-curled effort after Villa passed the ball with top conviction leaving Maroons’ backline frozen.

Ten minutes later, Kakande finally placed the hosts in the lead with yet another subline finish. The youngster beat his marker before he calmly slotted the ball into the net.

The visitors had a chance to restore parity but Biden Mujahid sent his shot way off the target as the hosts’ backline went to bed.

The victory sends Villa to fourth place with 29 points while Maroons fall to fifth place with just one point less than the previous.

Villa will be on the road in their next fixture as they take on Kitara on Friday, September 9 while Maroons will play Maroons a day earlier.

Uganda Premier League | Results

Thursday, November 9, 2023

• SC Villa 2-0 Arua Hill SC
• UPDF FC 2-0 BUL FC

SC Villa registered a 3-1 victory against Arua Hill SC in the Uganda Premier League at Muteesa II Stadium on Thursday evening.

It was the Villa’s second victory in the six games played in the 2023/24 campaign.

On the other side, it was the sixth loss for the Kongolo who continue to have a tough start to the ongoing season.

Nathan Oloro came close to giving Arua Hill the lead in the 15th minute but his effort was blocked by lanky defender Arnold Odong.

Two minutes later, Charles Lwanga miscued the ball with a goalkeeper at his disposal. Patrick Kakande set up the forward with a backhil but the chance was put to waste.

Richard Anyama turned up big in the 25th minute making a double save to deny Arnold Odong and Kenneth Semakula from attempts off a corner kick.

Ronald Ssekiganda finally broke the deadlock with a venomous shot to beat Arua Hill custodian Anyama in stellar fashion.

Umar Lutalo doubled the hosts’ lead in the 69th minute after making a good run to tap home Ivan Bogere’s freekick as Arua Hill’s backline looked on.

SC Villa had a chance to extend their lead but Peter Onzima’s pass to release Bogere on the counterattack was far from desired.

With seven minutes to play, Ronald Mpande had a chance to pull back one but he nodded Gadafi Wahab’s freekick wide by inches.

In added time, Ozima added salt into Arua Hill’s salt with an individual finish after going through a forest of bodies thanks to his pace.

Frank Kalanda pulled back one for the visitors in the last action of the game.

The victory takes Villa to the 8th position with eight points while Arua Hill sits at the bottom of the log with a point.

Uganda Premier League | Fixtures

Thursday, November 9, 2023

• SC Villa vs Arua Hill SC
• UPDF vs BUL

SC Villa has won just one of five games in the ongoing 2023/24 Uganda Premier League season.

The Jogoo will play Arua Hill SC at Wankulukuku’s Muteesa II Stadium. The host team will be looking for their second win of the season.

Since defeating NEC FC, Villa has shared points with Vipers SC before succumbing to log leaders BUL FC in a 2-1 setback.

After putting on a strong performance the previous season but failing to take the title on the final day, the record league champions have only accumulated five points in as many games this season.

The encounter against the Kongolo provides them with a wonderful opportunity to get their season back on track after a sluggish start.

Villa hardly participated in the league’s match day six since their opponent Express FC’s games were halted by FUFA while investigations into hooliganism were completed. As a result, their last game occurred on Tuesday, October 24.

Arua Hill SC, on the other hand, had a difficult start to the league, losing five of their first six games until drawing one-all with KCCA FC. Unlike in previous games, Arua Hill’s players appeared better staging a fight for the badge during the deadlock.

That will give Kongolo fans hope, who have experienced enough of the suffering since the season began.

Busoga United, Vipers SC, BUL FC, Gaddafi FC, and Mbarara City all defeated Charles Livingstone Mbabazi’s forces. So they went into the game against SC Villa looking for their first win.

Arua Hill won the last meeting between the two teams at Wankulukuku thanks to Ronald Media’s fifth-minute goal. Villa were the better team in that game, but the visitors came away with all three points, which the Joggos should remember in order not to undercut their opponent.

Uganda Premier League | Results

• SC Villa 1-2 BUL FC

BUL FC edged SC Villa in a  2-1 victory in the Uganda Premier League on Tuesday at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.

Just as expected, SC Villa enjoyed the biggest percentage of possession but will need to have time to reflect on two errors that caused goals in the first stanza.

After the one-all draw against Vipers SC, the Jogoo has a reason to believe that they could squeeze something positive from the clash against BUL.

Patrick Kakande should have put SC Villa ahead after BUL FC goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa fumbled with Peter Onzima’s long-range effort. But the custodian later recovered to correct his earlier mistake.

On the other hand veteran forward Alex Kitata failed to meet Martin Aprem’s delivery by inches.

George Kasonko gave the visitors a lead in the 35th minute after a lapse in SC Villa’s backline. Ronald Otti nodded Jeromy Kirya’s corner into play and Kasonko was quick to guide it into the back of the net.

Two minutes later Otti doubled the lead. The lanky backline jumped highest to node home, Edward Masembe could have done better to deny the goal but his clearance was mistimed.

At the start of the second stanza, Charles Lwanga and Ronald Sekiganda replaced Ivan Bogere and Diego Semugera.

Goalkeeper Norman Angufidru denied Kasonko’s low shot in the 48th minute to keep the game in reach.

Eleven minutes later, Umar Lutalo halved the deficit with a calm finish in a tough angle.

From that point onward, SC Villa through all bodies upfront in search of a leveller but BUL’s backline stood tall and firm.

The victory takes BUL FC to the log summit with 15 points gathered in five games played.

While Villa dropped to the ninth position with five points.

How they lined up

SC Villa: Norman Angufidru (GK), Kenneth Semakula, Arnold Odong, Peter Onzima, Elvis Ngonde, Ivan Bogere, Unar Lutalo, Gavin Kizito, Diego Semugera, Edward Masembe, Patrick Kakande

BUL FC: Joel Mutakubwa (GK), Walter Ochora, Ronald Otti, George Kasonko, Douglas Muganga, Jeromy Kirya, Pascal Ngobi, Hillary Onek, Reagan Kalyowa, Martin Aprem, Alex Kitata

Uganda Premier League | Tuesday Fixtures

• SC Villa vs BUL FC
• Gaddafi FC vs Busoga United

The Uganda Premier League Matchday Five will kick start on Tuesday, October 23^rd, 2023.

The biggest game of the day will see table leaders BUL FC visiting SC Villa at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.

BUL FC will hope to keep their perfect run intact having won all four games played so far in the 2023/24 campaign.

The 3-0 victory against the Maroons will give the oil manufacturers a reason to believe that they have a decent side to take on anyone.

On the other hand, SC Villa have not had the best run thus far but it’s equally fair to note that they have not done a bad job yet.

After the 2-1 loss to Kitara in the league opener, the Jogoo have registered a victory against NEC and two draws from Maroons and Vipers SC.

The youthful side has kept improving every game and the clash against BUL will be the perfect test for the growing project.

In the pre-match presser, BUL striker Samuel Sekamatte revealed that they will do all it takes to keep their perfect run.

“The players are in good shape to deliver maximum points from the game because that is what we need,” Sekamatte said.

“We have to safeguard our perfect run because we have all it takes to win the game. Looking upon the game the last time we met Villa, we lost narrowly but that is in the past,” he added.

“We know that there is a lot at stake this season, given the good start of the season we believe that we can grow as a team and win big.”

Sekamatte rallied the fans and BUL well-wishers to turn up and support the boys as they continue to fight for the badge.

Head to Head

In the last five UPL games played by the two sides, BUL has got hold of the lion’s share registering three victories, SC Villa has one once while the other ended in a one-all draw.

The last time the two sides met in the UPL, David Owori’s lonely strike was the difference in giving Villa all the deserving bragging rights.

• Uganda Premier League
• Vipers SC 1-1 SC Villa

Vipers SC and SC Villa shared spoils in a one-all draw in the Uganda Premier League at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Friday.

It was a thrilling night of football as fans were treated to an end-to-end game keeping the fans at the edge of their seats.

In the fifth minute, Yunis Sentamu wasted a cut-clear chance as he skied the ball with an empty net at his mercy.

SC Villa responded perfectly after Gavin Kizito scored off a rebound in the seventh minute.

Six minutes later, Kizito tripped Milton Karisa in the box but the centre referee waved play on.

In the 25th minute, Bright Anukani came close through a well-weighed freekick but goalkeeper Norman Angufidru finger-tipped it above the frame.

Sentamu came close twice but the end product was far from deserved.

At the start of the second stanza, Leonard Neiva introduced Eric Kambale and Karim Watambala for Bright Anukani and Abubaker Lawal.

In the 70th minute, Kambale failed to tap into an empty net. Abdul Lumala did all the dirty work before setting up the Congolese forward but the last touch was heavy to find the target.

With 10 minutes to play, Patrick Mbowa levelled matters after squeezing through a forest of legs to find the back of the net. The goal lit up the ambience as the sound of jubilations and drums got onto a high note.

Second-half substitute Karim Watambala connected with Sentamu before the latter’s low effort went straight into Angufidru’s palms.

A draw takes Vipers to the fourth position with eight points while SC Villa is seventh with five points after four games.

Uganda Premier League | Results

Friday, September 29, 2023

• SC Villa 3-0 NEC FC
• UPDF FC 0-2 Wakiso Giants
• Gaddafi FC 1-2 Kitara FC

SC Villa registered a 3-0 victory against NEC FC in the Uganda Premier League at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku on Friday.

It was the first victory for the Jogoos who have so far played three games in the 2023/24 campaign.

NEC FC will feel undone for failing to score a single goal in a game they created several chances but also conceded very avoidable goals on the day.

Four minutes into the game, Rashid Okocha made a great run to meet Shamir Kimwero’s ball but his cut-back was blocked by Juma Ramathan for a corner.

In the 11th minute, Rogers Kiwanuka set up Umar Lutalo whose low drive shot went past goalkeeper Samson Kirya.

Dusan Stojanovic made a quick change introducing David Owori for injured Kiwanuka.

Four minutes later, Juma Ramathan was also forced off the field of play due to an injury and Patrick Kakande came on.

Ten minutes later, Kakande laid a lofted cross that John Paul Acire turned into his net.

With five minutes left on the clock, Norman Angufidru made a stunning save, punching out Ibrahim Thembo’s powerful shot.

As the end of the first half was looming, the lanky defender Arnold Odong jumped highest to node home.

Ivan Bogere had two clear-cut chances in the second half but failed to convert any.

Kakande pegged NEC’s backline in trouble as they struggled to match his quick feet.

The victory takes VIlla to five points while NEC remains at six.

How they lined up

SC Villa XI: Norman Angufindru (GK), Kenneth Semakula, Arnold Odong, Peter Onzima, Elvis Ngonde, Ivan Bogere, Umar Lutalo, Gavin Kizito, Rogers Kiwanuka, Diego Semugera, Juma Ramathan

NEC FC XI: Samson Kiirya (GK), Marvin Kavuma, Tah Barni Kelvin, Ibrahim Thembo, Allan Mugalu, Shamir Kimwero, DhataJoseph, John Paul Acire, Brian Kayanja, Rashid Okocha, Ronald Owiny

Uganda Premier League | Result

Maroons FC 1-1 SC Villa

Maroons FC and SC Villa shared spoils in a one-all draw in the Uganda Premier League on Sunday at Luzira on Sunday afternoon.

It was an end-to-end match as both sides kept in the mood to attack and look for more goals, making the game an entertaining encounter.

In the 25^th minute, Fred Amaku stung SC Villa goalkeeper Norman Angfidru’s gloves with a hard shot but the custodian palmed it away.

Abasi Kyeyune and Hakim Mutebi combined to give Maroons’ defence a hard time before the latter was fouled at the edge of the box.

SC Villa was denied what could have been a penalty after Maroons goalkeeper Hannington Sebwalunyo clashed with Peter Onzima in the danger zone without the purpose of gaining possession of the ball.

Mutebi beat his marker Jacob Okao to the pace with two minutes left in the first stanza before he laid in a cut back into the area, but Sebwalunyo was quick to get hold of the ball.

In the second half, the Prison Wardens kicked off with the right pace and Abraham Tusubira continued the hosts’ attacks.

At the top of the hour, Amaku nodded home Darious Ojok’s delivery from close range to put the hosts ahead

Five minutes later, Arnold Odong was in the right place to volley the ball into the back of the net after capitalising on a loose ball in the area.

In added time, defender Jacob Okao found himself in a rare place with a goalkeeper to beat but SC Villa’s defender Rogers Kiwanuka chased him down well to claim possession.

The point takes Maroons to four points while SC Villa got their maiden point in the 2023/24 UPL campaign.

Next on the menu, Villa will host NEC FC on Friday, September 29 while Maroons will be on the road to take on KCCA FC on Tuesday, October 3.

How they lined up

Maroons FC XI: Hannington Sebwalunyo (GK), David Ndihabwe, Fredrick Nicholas Kigozi, Jacob Okao, Fred Amaku, Ronald Orombi, Abel Eturude, Abraham Tusubira, Patrick Bayega, Darious Ojok, Innocent Biyika

SC Villa XI: Norman Angufidru (GK), Gavin Mugweri, Umar Lutalo, Kenneth Semakula, Arnold Odong, Peter Onzima, Elvis Ngonde, Missi Diego Semugera, Abasi Kyeyune, Hakim Mutebi, Ivan Bogere

As Matchday Two of the Uganda Premier League wraps up, SC Villa will be on the road to visit Maroons Football Club in Luzira on Sunday evening.

Having narrowly lost the opening game to Kitara FC 2-1, SC Villa seek redemption to get off the mark in the season they have done many things right on and off the pitch.

In a pre-match conference, SC Villa head coach Dusan Stojanovic revealed that they have held intense preparations to go on and work on the team’s strategy and discipline.

“We have held intense preparations ahead of the game. Our strategy remains focused on our strengths, a balanced attack, solid defence and disciplined teamwork. We have worked on our style and are ready to adapt as needed during the game,” Dusan told SC Villa media.

“We have got a broad squad and we shall make necessary adjustments. Some players have recovered and we see how to bring them into the team. We are confident in the abilities of all our players and sure they will perform.”

The Serbian gaffer revealed to the Jogoo faithful how the squad appreciates their support and is ready to make them proud.

“We appreciate all our fans for [their] unwavering support. We share high expectations and [are] dedicated to making this season memorable. Your energy and passion drives us to excel. We are going to give our best to make you proud,” he concluded.

The good news for SC Villa is that left back Umar Lutalo, midfielder Ronald Ssekiganda and forward Jonah Kakande have fully recovered from injury and will be up for selection.

However, forward Charles Lwanga and left back Joseph Kafumbe are still sidelined due to an ankle and muscle injury respectively.

On the other hand, the Prison Wardens will be seeking to maintain their perfect start having gotten underway with a 3-0 well-deserved victory against Wakiso Giants.

Uganda Premier League | Fixture
Friday, September 15, 2023

• SC Villa vs. Kitara FC
• Bright Stars vs. BUL FC
• Mbarara City vs. NEC FC

Record Uganda Premier League champions SC Villa will be hosts to newcomers Kitara FC at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku when the new season kicks off on Friday.

After challenging for the title in the 2022/23 campaign, SC Villa will seek to push once again as they seek to end their long trophy drought.

The Jogoos will be hoping to start on the best note as they seek to lay the deserved foundation for a highly anticipated season.

Villa’s captain Semakula Kenneth revealed that they are braced for the opening game after having great preparations.

“We have had good preseason preparations getting ready for the Uganda Premier League. Our first game is against Kitara and we are well prepared,” Semakula said in the pre-match conference.

“The technical team has prepared us well and we hope to have a good season. We call upon the fans to turn up in big numbers so that they support us,” he added.

On the other hand, Kitara FC will be playing their first league game since gaining promotion after clinching the FUFA Big League title.

Kitara FC head coach Brian Ssenyondo said that they come with the confidence that they are the reigning champions of the Big League.

“We go into the game knowing we, not a bad team rather because we hold the confidence knowing we are the champions of Big League,” Ssenyondo noted after their last training session.

“We shall kickstart our league against SC Villa. We have prepared so well, since taking on the job at Kitara till date we have been doing things that put us in a better place to win,” he added.

“I am so confident that we shall go into the pitch and fight for maximum points.

“We are playing against a good side that nearly lifted the league cup last season.”

Both sides have new coaches and have strengthened their roasters with new signings.

With entertainment from celebrated artist Ziza Bafana, it will be a party as the two sides lock horns.