Kitara and Villa set for Uganda Cup final

Stanbic Uganda Cup

Final

Kitara v SC Villa

Saturday, 3pm

SC Villa head coach Zeljko Kovacevic will have the opportunity to cap off a promising debut season in charge of the Jogoos with a second trophy when they take on Kitara FC in the Stanbic Uganda Cup final on Saturday at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.

The Serbian tactician joined the club at the start of the 2025/26 campaign and immediately announced himself by guiding them to the FUFA Super 8 title after a convincing 2-0 victory over NEC in the final.

That triumph raised expectations among Villa faithful, and although the club fell short in the Uganda Premier League (UPL) title race, Kovacevic has won admiration for the style of football his side displayed throughout the season.

Villa finished third on the UPL table with 61 points, six behind eventual champions Vipers SC, but many supporters and neutrals believe the 17-time league champions would have mounted an even stronger challenge had they not been affected by controversial officiating decisions in several matches during the campaign.

Despite missing out on the league title, Kovacevic now has the chance to end Villa’s 11-year wait for the Uganda Cup, a trophy they last lifted in 2015 after defeating rivals KCCA FC at Namboole Stadium.

Addressing journalists in a joint press conference yesterday at Kati Kati Restaurant in Lugogo, Kampala ahead of the final, Kovacevic insisted his players are fully prepared for the occasion, though he acknowledged the threat posed by Kitara and their experienced coach Wasswa Bbosa.

“We are going to give everything to try and win the game. My players are ready and they want to win. We respect Kitara because they are a good team with experienced players and a good coach,” Kovacevic said.

Villa’s hopes could once again rest on the shoulders of their attacking quartet of Hassan Mubiru, Charles Lwanga, Patrick Kakande and Frank Ssebuufu, all of whom have been instrumental in the club’s impressive campaign.

To reach the final, Villa comfortably eliminated URA FC 3-0 on aggregate after winning both legs of the semi-final tie.

On the other hand, Kitara will enter the final equally confident of spoiling Villa’s ambitions and lifting the Uganda Cup for a second time in their history. The Royals won their maiden title in 2024 after edging NEC 1-0 in the final at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.

Bbosa, who previously coached Villa, believes his side has prepared well enough to overcome the Jogoos once again this season.

“I have prepared my team to the best of my abilities and I am confident we will be victorious at the end of the day,” Bbosa stated.

The veteran tactician has already faced his former employers twice in the league this season. Kitara beat Villa comfortably 3-0 at Royals Park in Butema, Hoima City to avenge a 1-0 defeat they suffered when Villa hosted them at FUFA Stadium Kadiba.

Bbosa will rely on his experienced players such as Murushid Juuko, Muhamad Shaban, Patrick Kaddu, Living Kabon and Emmanuel Wasswa who have been excellent throughout the season.

The Royals secured their place in tomorrow’s showdown after eliminating holders Vipers on the away goals rule following a hard-fought 1-1 aggregate draw in the semi-finals.

The winner of the Cup will represent Uganda in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.