STANBIC UGANDA CUP | QF
The Date: April 21th, 2025
The Contest: Vipers SC vs. SC Villa
The Time: 7pm
The Venue: St Mary’s Stadium
A fierce rivalry is rekindled under the floodlights at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende as Vipers SC welcome SC Villa in a mouthwatering Stanbic Uganda Cup Quarterfinal clash this evening.
It’s a showdown steeped in history, with both clubs eyeing a spot in the semifinals and a chance to edge closer to silverware.
For Vipers SC, this fixture offers not just progress, but payback. Revenge is in the air.
Confidence and Form
The Venoms come into this high-stakes tie brimming with confidence after a statement 3-1 league win over title challengers NEC FC.
That victory extended Vipers’ lead at the top of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League (SUPL) table to five points, and reaffirmed their red-hot form.
SC Villa, on the other hand, have found some rhythm too – winning back-to-back games against Mbale Heroes (3-1) in the Cup and Mbarara City (2-0) in the league after a stumble against BUL FC.
The Jogoos will be looking to carry that momentum into Kitende, where they face their sternest test yet.
History & Rivalry: A Match that Means Everything
This fixture is more than just a football match – it’s a chapter in one of Uganda’s greatest football rivalries. While SC Villa boast a decorated legacy, their recent Uganda Cup record against the Venoms leaves much to be desired.
The last time the two met in this competition was during the 2020/21 quarterfinals. After a 1-1 draw at Kitende, Vipers marched into the semifinals with a commanding 2-0 win in the return leg at Bombo, courtesy of goals from Bobosi Byaruhanga and Milton Karisa.
Last Round: Different Roads, Same Destination
In the Round of 16, Vipers were dominant in a 3-0 victory over Blacks Power, with Pedro Sukuya turning on the style – scoring once and assisting both Yunus Sentamu and Livingstone Mulondo.
SC Villa’s journey wasn’t as smooth. They had to battle hard to squeeze past Lugazi FC, relying on a second-half strike from substitute Reagan Mpande to clinch a narrow 1-0 win.
Uganda Cup Head-to-Head: Familiar Foes
Here’s how previous Uganda Cup battles between the two giants have played out:
2008/09 SF 1st Leg: Vipers 0-2 SC Villa
2008/09 SF 2nd Leg: SC Villa 0-1 Vipers (SC Villa win 2-1 on aggregate)
2017/18 SF 1st Leg: SC Villa 0-0 Vipers
2017/18 SF 2nd Leg: Vipers 1-0 SC Villa (Vipers win 1-0 on aggregate)
2020/21 QF 1st Leg: Vipers 1-1 SC Villa
2020/21 QF 2nd Leg: SC Villa 0-2 Vipers (Vipers win 3-1 on aggregate)
It’s been tense. It’s been thrilling. And Monday night promises no less.
Quarterfinal Pedigree: Venoms on a Mission
This is Vipers SC’s 13th Uganda Cup Quarterfinal appearance – and their eighth in a row since 2015. Out of their last eight, they’ve progressed to the semifinals five times. Last season’s painful exit to Kitara still lingers, and the Venoms will be keen to set that right.
Coach’s Corner: “We’re Here to Compete”
Head coach Fred Muhumuza was all business ahead of the clash:
“This rivalry is known, but we’re focused on our objective. Every game from here on is a final, and we approach it with the seriousness it deserves. We know what’s at stake.”
He added:“We want to play our football. It’s a home tie, and our fans will be behind us. That gives us an extra push. Let’s deliver for them.”
Final Word
Another night. Another battle. Another chapter in a storied rivalry. With their eyes firmly on Cup glory and revenge in their hearts, the Venoms are ready to strike under the Monday night lights.
The Uganda Cup quarterfinals don’t get bigger than this. It promises a showdown worth every shilling of the ticket price.