Rivals Vipers and SC Villa face off in weekend grudge match

Ritah Tugumisirize

This weekend will be action packed in the Startimes Uganda premier league as match day 18 continues. Five games will be on card with Vipers Vs SC Villa televised live on Sanyuka TV.

The Venoms will be looking to stretch their unbeaten run in the league to 35 games but they are aware of the challenge the wounded Jogoo can present.

In the past few years, the rivalry between Vipers and SC Villa has grown into something physical. The last time Villa went to Kitende, the game ended in a fist and stone fight with the travelling supporters destroying some of the stadium equipment like seats, and stones were directed to then Vipers boos Miguel Jorge Da Costa.

The near aftermath of the fracas was indefinite suspension of 12 SC Villa supporters by the Venom’s authorities something that just amplified the rivalry.

During SC Villa’s recent league loss to URA FC at the Mandela national stadium, sections of the losing fans attacked Vipers publicist Abdu Wasike and he had to be escorted out of the stadium by police and military officials.

In fact, in their one all draw against Bright Stars, some displayed placards saying they will not go to Kitende for Saturday’s encounter, this is how serious the grudge is.

Luckily though, the fans’ miss understandings haven’t got to the players. While speaking during their pre match press conference ahead of the tie, Vipers defender Halid Lwalilwa distanced himself and the rest of the players from the differences in the stands.

“We know that the fans have their wrangles but we as players are not involved and we want leave it that way. We do not want to involve our selves in these fights. We are focused on the football and we hope to have a good game tomorrow.”

Tomorrow’s game will present to us another battle on the pitch with two of the country’s leading goal scorers facing off from opposite ends.

Startimes Uganda Premier league top scorer Bashir Mutanda who banged in his eleventh of the season against Bright Stars will hope to keep his goal scoring rhythm, while Dan Sserunkuuma who is credited for nine of Vipers’ 24 goals will be looking to close in on the top scorer.

A victory for the home team will keep their title defence alive as they keep track of log leader KCCA FC, while for SC Villa, victory will be a lease of life for their under fire tactician Douglas Bamweyana.

If recent meetings between the two are anything to go, then the Venoms have an upper hand. The Kitende based side has beaten the 16 time league winners on the last three occasions, the last being a 3-1 win in the first round of the league at the mandela national stadium.

The stakes are differing for both teams with Vipers in a title chase while 13th placed SC Villa are plying for safety.

In the other Startimes Uganda Premier league games, Onduparaka takes on Kirinya Jinja SS at the green light stadium in Arua, KCCA FC travels to Matugga to face Bright Stars, Tooro United will look to stretch their home unbeaten run when they host Paidha Black Angels while Police FC will play Ndejje University.

In today’s games, Mbarara city had a sweet revenge against Nyamityobora as the Ankole Lions take put three passed the Abanyakale while Brian Majwega scored a cracker as Maroons condemned URA FC to their second loss of the season at the Mandela National Stadium.