Kovacevic guides SC Villa to first Uganda Cup final in 11 years

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Stanbic Uganda Cup

SC Villa 1 URA 0 (Villa win 3-0 on aggregate)

Vipers 1 Kitara 1 (Kitara progress on away goals)

Final

Kitara v SC Villa

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For all the impressive work Zeljko Kovacevic has done in his first season in charge of SC Villa, many Jogoos fans will still feel this campaign could have turned out even better had controversial officiating not played a major role in derailing their Uganda Premier League (UPL) title challenge.

Nevertheless, the Serbian tactician has overseen a remarkable transformation at the club and now has the opportunity to crown his debut season with more silverware after guiding Villa to their first Uganda Cup final in 11 years.

Villa sealed their place in the final in convincing fashion after eliminating URA 3-0 on aggregate in the semifinals.

The Jogoos first claimed an impressive 2-0 away victory against the Tax Collectors at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, before completing the job with a 1-0 win in Saturday’s return leg at FUFA Stadium, Kadiba in Mengo.

The only goal of the second leg came in fortunate circumstances for Villa as URA defender Jame Begisa turned the ball into his own net, handing the hosts another victory and confirming their place in the final.

It will be Villa’s first appearance in the Uganda Cup final since 2015, when they defeated rivals KCCA 3-0 at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, in a rescheduled final to lift the trophy.

Now under Kovacevic, who already delivered the FUFA Super 8 trophy earlier this season, Villa are targeting a historic 10th Uganda Cup crown, which would see them equal the competition’s most successful clubs, KCCA and Express, who have each won the tournament 10 times.

Beyond the silverware, Kovacevic has brought a clear identity and structure to the side. Villa have evolved into one of the most attractive teams to watch in the league, playing organised but expansive football.

Several players have flourished under the Serbian coach this season, including Hassan Mubiru, Frank Ssebuufu, Godfrey Lubangakene, Simon Kato Ssemayange, Najib Yiga and goalkeeper David Lukwago, all of whom have played key roles in Villa’s resurgence.

Despite their progress, Villa’s UPL title hopes appear virtually over. The Jogoos are currently third on 55 points, six behind leaders Vipers SC, who have 61 points with only two matches left to play.

As a result, the Uganda Cup now presents Villa with their most realistic chance of ending the season with major silverware while also securing continental football, as the tournament winner earns Uganda’s slot in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.

Standing in Villa’s way will be Kitara FC, coached by former Villa tactician Wasswa Bbosa, who guided the Royals into the final after knocking out holders Vipers.

Kitara booked their place in the final after a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Vipers in last Friday’s semifinal return leg at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, enough to progress on the away goals rule.

Former Arua Hill midfielder Gadafi Wahab gave Kitara an early first-half lead, putting Vipers under immediate pressure.

The hosts responded early in the second half after referee George Olemu awarded what many viewed as a controversial penalty, which Abdulkarim Watambala converted to level matters.

Vipers threw numbers forward in search of a winning goal, but Bbosa’s disciplined side frustrated the Venoms throughout the closing stages to hold on and reach only the second Uganda Cup final in Kitara’s history.

Kitara previously reached the final in 2024 and made history by defeating NEC FC 1-0 at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku, to lift their maiden Uganda Cup title.

Like Villa, Kitara are also out of the league title race, sitting fourth on 54 points, meaning the Uganda Cup final offers them a golden opportunity to salvage their season with silverware and continental qualification.

For Vipers, however, the semifinal exit has only intensified pressure on head coach Ivan Minnaert.

The Venoms went into the return leg as favourites but produced another underwhelming display, continuing a worrying slump in form.

Vipers have now drawn eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions, a run that has sparked growing anxiety among supporters.

What once looked like a comfortable march towards the UPL title defence has suddenly become tense.

Vipers remain top, but second-placed KCCA, on 58 points, have closed the gap to just three points with two games remaining.

Although Vipers still hold a superior head-to-head record over KCCA, their recent form has left fans unconvinced that they can safely navigate their final fixtures against Maroons and Express.