Uganda Cup semifinal

Tuesday

Vipers (0) vs (0) Villa

St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende

Final, Saturday (June 9)

KCCA vs Vipers/Villa

Emokori Grounds, Bukedea

By Denis West

It was a loud and commanding statement made when KCCA mauled Fufa Big League (FBL) side Synergy 10-0 on aggregate to storm the Uganda Cup finals.

Any of Vipers or Villa that face off in the return leg of the semifinals at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende willing to storm the final, must have received the news with a tinge of fear.

However, the caliber of Synergy, that even struggled in the FBL last season, might have given KCCA more might and credit than they deserve.

Let’s look at the general picture and wait to cross the river (potential final) when we reach it.

Two sides with ever growing animosity clash again at St. Marys Stadium in Kitende after a dull 0-0 draw at Wankulukuku a fortnight ago.

Vipers triumphed home and away in the league which ultimately makes them favorites to progress but rule out nine-time Uganda Cup champions SC Villa at your own peril.

But how did Vipers, bedeviled by coaching wrangles, low player morale and pitiable scoring form turn into a double chasing side?

In these articles, I recently told you how the recruitment of seasoned youth coach and talent scout Eddie Butindo as Vipers technical director ignited the turnaround at the club.

But that wasn’t enough, and if it did, it was mainly in the pursuit of league victory.

Theirs is a side with an enviable squad depth laden with contest for starting slots that along the way brewed an aggressive side at the turn of December.

Whereas KCCA’s youthful squad has been trying to balance play on the continent, league and Uganda Cup, Vipers geared their energies on the league and Uganda Cup – and maybe the ‘small’ distortion of the Fufa Drum tourney. So rich has been the Vipers team depth that they even managed to lock out some of their errant stars Mike Sserumagga, Hassan Kalega and Tony Odur.Unlike KCCA that struggled with injuries to pivotal players like Muzamir Mutyaba, Sadam Juma, Muhammad Shaban, Derrick Nsibambi and Jackson Nunda, Vipers suffered less and even before Halid Lwaliwa returned from a lengthy layoff later in the season, Under-20 youngsters Bashir Asiku and Geoffrey Wasswa were already doing a meticulous job for the club.

Villa, that started off well with title intentions lost key players Ibrahim Kiyemba and Vitalis Tabu to transfers and misdemeanor respectively.

Vipers can maintain the same team – Ismail Watenga, Nicholas Wadada, Yayo Lutimba, Halid Lwaliwa, Geofrey Wasswa, Bashir Asiku, Tadeo Lwanga, Erisa Ssekisambu, Moses Waiswa, Dan Sserunkuma and Duncan Sseninde – that held the Jogoos at wankuluku and still triumph. With Tadeo Lwanga out suspended, Tom Masiko, a certified winner, can slot in and cover the void left by the hard-man. Villa coach Wasswa Bbosa, who is contemplating to throw in the towel after the Uganda Cup quest due to the fans’ irate behavior towards him, knows this is his last throw of the dice and he must field his best team.

If he retains Samuel Kivumbi, Joseph Nsubuga, Arthur Kiggundu, Isa Lumu, Henry Katongole, Bernard Muwanga, Mahad Kakooza, Nicholas Kasozi, Martin Kizza, George Senkaaba and Allan Kyambadde, he will learn the hard way that the team will remain defensive. He can resort to Alex Kitata, Abel Eturude and Ambrose Kirya to give the team a forward push if they are to stun Vipers at their backyard.

That said, Vipers not only stand to win Tuesday’s return leg but also the final, never mind KCCA’s goal-laden show in the semifinal.