By Ritah Tugumisirize
The Mandela National Stadium will host arguably the biggest rivalry in local football this Friday as 16 time league champions Villa take on the Red Eagles in the star times Uganda Premier league.
History favors the home team but if recent results are anything to go by, the Jogoos will have to dig deep if they are to register their second win of the season.
In the past 30 meetings between the two, Villa has won 19, drawn eight and lost three.
Last season, arguably their best in over five years, Villa took four points out of their two meetings with the Red Eagles.
A win at home and a draw at Wankulukuku.
But all this is in the past and can be deceptive.
The fact now is that Uganda's most successful football club has only managed one win this season (a scrappy 1-0 against minnows Nyamityobora that came through a penalty fron their usual suspect Bashir Mutanda) and are a distant 13th on the 16 team log with nine points after 11 games.
This is their worst start in ages.
Not even half way into the season, they had switched coaches, with Moses Basena laying down his tools as ex Express coach Douglas Bamweyana took over.
With no injury concerns going into the game, Bamweyana is optimistic he will guide the team to their second win in the country's top tier.
"This is one of the biggest games in Ugandan football. We know the opponents we are facing, we know our weaknesses which we have worked on so we are positive we will win tomorrows game." said Bamweyana.
" I have prepared my boys, no injuries and suspensions, they are well prepared and confident they will get the points they need, " he added.
If they are to tame the on form trio of Michael Birungi, Tony Odur and Eric Kambaale, the experience of defenders like Habib Kavuma and Savio Kabugo will be key.
Kavuma says they are up for the task.
"We are a team prepared for this game, it is a game we can win because we are playing at home," said Kavuma
Their visitors are ninth on the log with 16 points and had dipped in form until the last game when they beat local bullies KCCA FC 3-2 at Wankulukuku.
This should be a confidence boost for Keefah Kisaala's charges ahead of their trip to Namboole.
Despite their poor start, Villa has the current top scorer in the league in Bashir Mutanda who has seven goals to his name.
