Preview: Vipers SC v SC Villa

STARTIMES UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE 

The Date: 17- Jan- 2020

The Contest: Vipers SC vs SC Villa

The Time: 4:00pm

The Venue: St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende

Vipers know the onus is on them and cannot afford to slip against SC Villa following their emphatic 4-2 victory over Proline FC on Tuesday.

The Venoms, 42 points from 17 games, seven ahead of rivals KCCA FC who lost 2-1 to Bright Stars FC away at Kavumba, welcome the Jogoos to their home turf for a Friday evening affair that they will be banking on to keep the momentum right.

Villa have neither won nor scored in any of their rubbers at the turn of the new decade and will be anxious to break that jinx. Edward Kaziba’s brigade failed to score against URA FC and Busoga United, throwing away six points in the process and there is no denying that they will be under pressure.

The title-hungry Venoms have somewhat turned the St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende into a fortress this season and will want to emphasise that notion against Villa.

Last meeting

Villa’s last visit on February 9, 2019 found them embroiled in a relegation fight while the home side were three points behind leaders KCCA. The Jogoos however turned the tables on their hosts and ran out as 3-1 rampant winners on the day to end the Venoms unbeaten league run that season and forthwith interest in the title.

Those memories are still fresh with vice captain Geoffrey Wasswa who has called upon his teammates to set the record straight and keep on track in the title race.

“We need to do our best in each game. There is need for team work, concentration and sacrifice to make this happen.”

Vipers SC Vice Captain, Geoffrey Wasswa

For coach Edward Golola, discipline from the departments is a must if Vipers is to overcome unpredictable Villa, who are the 16-time record league champions.

“We are definitely not thinking that some games are going to be easy. Instead there may be some tension affecting my side. We are not converting enough of our chances in home games. I expect SC Villa to have looked at our recent games and will be a very organised side coming at St Mary’s Stadium,”

Vipers SC Coach, Edward Golola.

League leading marksman Fahad Bayo has scored eight goals at home while new boy Paul Mucureezi’s first game here saw him get onto the score sheet against Kyetume FC. 

Golola will task the pair to keep Villa’s defence busy as they will be the home side’s inspiration going forward. 

Team news:

Bobos Byaruhanga and Abraham Ndugwa could return to the team if the talented pair passes the team doctor’s routine 11th hour tests.

Fahad Bayo picked up a minor knock in the 4-2 win over Proline on Friday but should be in line to make the Starting XI.

Goalkeeper Fabien Mutombora is back after a compassionate leave in Burundi and thus his available for this game.

Team skipper Halid Lwaliwa is also doubtful just like Siraje Ssentamu, who both picked injuries in the last match. Jacob Okao is expected to fill in the void left by Lwaliwa’s big shoes.

The game has also come a little too early for Bashir Asiku who is still nursing an ankle injury. 

Copyright 2020 Vipers Sports Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.viperssc.co.ug as the source.