SC Villa strategic planning pays off

SC VILLA have again proved Chinese war strategist San Tszu right that wars are not won on the battle field, but on the drawing board. Physical, mental and financial resources the Joogos heavily invested in preparation crystallised in a fifth league and cup double on Saturday. It was a perfect SC Villa finish against disorganised opposition, where challengers like KCC and Express were squabbling over trivialities. No wonder KCC led for most of the season, at one point going six points clear, before crushing in the home stretch. But what makes the Joogos preparation tick. A look at SC Villa reveals that they are propelled by a rare meanness that sprouts from the club's leadership, an attitude probably explained by domination of the club's top brass by businessmen. To these top brass, an investment must be followed by profit unlike establishments where casualness is still inherent like KCC. This positive attitude seems to have also gone down to the fans given that SC Villa today boasts of the biggest gate collections. A senior player from SC Villa's past golden side recently gave me more insight about how things have always run at Villa Park. He said concentration on soccer proper has always been so intense that even when the club was boiling with power wrangles to oust Patrick Kawooya (rip), the players remained focussed. The intensity of the concentration was such that not even the fact that the players were not being paid at the time,could distract the team. A similar spirit was again evident this season. Coach Paul Hasule's side was, save for a handful of players,wanting in talent but still managed to fuse into a formidable force. KCC, boasting of the most talented players in the region, meanwhile lacked the basic discipline required in a team. But winning in a disorganised field should not overwhelm SC Villa or else they will get an inflated impression of what they are worth. It's good Hasule has hinted that local trophies are becoming monotony. Atleast he is aware that real pride lies on the continent.