We make the trip to FUFA Stadium, Kadiba tonight as we face a confident SC Villa side in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League. Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm with Live Broadcast on Sanyuka TV.
We arrive in Mengo on the back of a fair start under head coach Badru Kaddu, who took over earlier this month. His first match ended in a credible draw against BUL before the international break – a result to build on under the new boss and provide momentum heading into a demanding set of fixtures.
SC Villa come into this game in excellent form, having won their last three league outings, the most recent being a 1-0 success against Kitara. Third in the table with 10 points from five matches, the Jogoos are firmly in the title conversation and will be determined to become the first side this season to register four straight league victories.
Historically the fixture is tied with both teams wining twice in the UPL while SC Villa has an edge overall after that 2-0 win in the FUFA Super Cup at Kadiba. Last season we completed the league double over Villa, and while they edged us in our inaugural UPL season.
Team news
Jacob Okao remains sidelined for the rest of the campaign, while Timothy Muwanguzi and Ssematimba Titus are also unavailable for selection. The good news is that striker Innocent Media is pushing hard to be involved, and he is likely to be joined in the matchday squad by Buule Warren, giving coach Kaddu some welcome attacking and defending options.
Villa will miss forward Reagan Mpande, who is on international duty. That absence could see Frank Ssebuufu – the match-winner against Kitara – Andrew Otim or Charles Lwanga handed starting roles up front.
Previous meetings
Total Matches: 4
SC Villa Wins: 2
NEC FC Wins: 2
Draws: 0
Total Goals Scored: 9
Goals by SC Villa: 6
Goals by NEC FC: 3
Clean Sheets: SC Villa (2), NEC FC (1)
Matches with Both Teams Scoring: 1
What it means
Three points tonight would be enormous. It would kick-start our season, lift us comfortably clear of the lower reaches of the table, and announce to the rest of the league that NEC are a different proposition under the new management.