Near yet far

BY JAMES BAKAMA JULIUS Berger might be champions in one of Africa's top soccer nations, but against SC Villa today they will be up against a team with a richer pedigree on the continent. And Villa coach Paul Hasule yesterday underlined this fact by dismissing the Nigerian club's pomp with a warning that a rude awakening awaits them in today's CAF Champions league second round match at Namboole. Reacting to coach Tunde Disu's threat of upsetting the Ugandan champions, Hasule said: "Talking is different from action." Hasule's confidence is understandable given that he will be leading a club that besides an impressive home record also has reached two continental finals. That Julius Berger are not only newcomers on the continent, but are also far short of the form that earned them the Nigerian championship, seems to add credence to Hasule's confidence. Villa are also hungry to become the first Ugandan club to reach the lucrative CAF Champions League stage where every team is assured of $ 200,000 (sh 360m). Maurice Sunguti, lately worth a goal per match, will lead fellow strikers Andrew Mukasa and Alimansi Kadogo in Villa's quest for a win in this match that is expected to attract record crowds at Namboole. But Hasule, well acquainted with battles against Nigerians both at club and national levels, hastily adds that they will not take things for granted. "We have put in three weeks of hard work in order to avoid a repeat of the Vital' O mistakes." Villa advanced courtesy of an away victory twice taking the lead and conceding an equaliser at home through Andrew Jjombwe's goalkeeping blunders. Hasule says he has since introduced Hannington Kalyesubula in the posts. Ends