Vipers, Kitara set for Uganda Cup semifinal showdown
The draw, held on Wednesday at Umoja House in Nakasero, Kampala, sets up a high-stakes encounter between two teams currently going neck and neck in the league race.
Vipers SC. File photo
Stanbic Uganda Cup
Semifinal Draw
Kitara v Vipers
URA v SC Villa
Vipers SC and Kitara FC will take their Uganda Premier League (UPL) title rivalry to the Stanbic Uganda Cup after the two sides were drawn together in the semifinals of the competition’s 52nd edition.
The draw, held on Wednesday at Umoja House in Nakasero, Kampala, sets up a high-stakes encounter between two teams currently going neck and neck in the league race.
Kitara, winners of the competition in 2024, will host the first leg at Royals Park in Butema, Hoima City, before traveling to St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende in Wakiso District for the decisive return leg.
The other semifinal will see nine-time champions SC Villa face off with 2014 winners URA FC in another intriguing tie. URA will host the first leg at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, before making the short trip to FUFA Stadium, Kadiba in Mengo for the return leg.
First leg matches are scheduled to take place between May 1 and 3, with the return legs set for May 15 to 17.
Vipers head into the semifinals as reigning holders of both the Uganda Cup and the UPL, and are targeting a second consecutive domestic double. However, they face a resilient and ambitious Kitara side determined to dethrone the Venoms.
Encounters between the two teams in recent times have grown increasingly intense, fuelling a budding rivalry between their fanbases and adding extra spice to this semifinal clash.
Notably, Vipers knocked out Kitara at the semifinal stage last season on their way to lifting the trophy, a factor that adds further intrigue to this year’s meeting.
The second semifinal between URA and SC Villa also promises fireworks. URA, under vocal tactician Hussein Mbalangu, and Villa, guided by Serbian coach Zeljko Kovacevic, both view the Uganda Cup as their most realistic chance of avoiding a trophyless campaign.
As such, neither side is expected to hold back in their pursuit of a place in the final and ultimately lifting the cup.
At the draw, Vipers were represented by head coach Ivan Minnaert. SC Villa’s delegation included head coach Kovacevic, captain David Owori, and CEO William Nkemba, while URA were represented by CEO Allan Munaaba and player Joshua Lubwama.