Wounded Villa Hosts Winless BUL today at Wankulukuku

SC Villa clinched the Uganda Premier League title on the final day of last season, edging out BUL FC by just one point. The Jogoos accumulated 57 points, while the Eastern Giants gathered 56 points in 29 matches.

Two matches into the 2024/2025 Uganda Premier League season, both clubs are experiencing mixed fortunes.

Villa recently suffered a 1-0 defeat away to newly promoted Mbale Heroes at Mbale Municipal Stadium. However, they had previously secured a 4-2 victory over Mbarara City at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.

On the other hand, BUL has drawn both of their matches so far, first against Police in Kavumba (0-0) and then a 1-1 draw against KCCA at Lugazi Stadium.

Today, both teams will meet at Wankulukuku, each desperate for three points to keep pace with Hussein Mbalangu’s NEC FC, who have won their opening three matches and sit atop the league with nine points.

At Villa, interim head coach Morley Byekwaso is under scrutiny from the club’s top management and some fans, who are not yet convinced he is the right man to help them defend the title they won last season when he was an assistant to the departed Serbian Dusan Stojanovic. Failure to secure three points against BUL will increase the pressure on Byekwaso.

BUL tactician Abbey Kikomeko is not worried about his job security, but given that his team came close to winning the league last season, the expectations from the owners and fans are high for this season.

Speaking to Vision Sport, both tacticians expressed their readiness for the match:

“We need to utilize our chances. We created many against Mbale but did not convert them. When they got one, they made use of it and punished us,” noted Byekwaso.

“I expect a tough match from Villa because they are fresh from losing against Mbale Heroes. They will be fighting to get back to winning ways.”

“We are aware of all that, but we need the three points as well. Remember, we haven’t won a game yet. We feel this is the right match to get our first victory,” said Kikomeko.

Last season’s meeting between these two at Wankulukuku ended in BUL’s favor, with a 2-1 victory thanks to goals from George Kasonko and Ronald Otti, while Umar Lutalo scored Villa’s consolation. Otti and Lutalo have since moved on to Kitara FC.

Uganda Premier League

Thursday

SC Villa v BUL

Lugazi v Vipers

At 4pm

Friday

Wakiso Giants v Mbale Heroes

At 4pm

KCCA v Kitara

At 7pm

Saturday

URA v Mbarara City

At 4pm

Express v Maroons

At 7pm