For the record, 16 time Uganda league winners, Sports club Villa have now won four consecutive fixtures on the continent – a rare feat for any Ugandan club in a long time.
The Jogoos won away and home against Sudanese Al Khartoum Al Watani 2-0 on aggregate in the CAF Confederations preliminary round.
Then they celebrated in Ugunja at the Amaani stadium on the Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar after nipping the Zanzibar army side JKU 5-0 on aggregate.
There are clear positives after four games on the continent. First are the four victories, then the other aspect concerns the different goal scorers in the four games.
From Tadeo Lwanga, Godfrey Lwesibawa, Mike Sserumaga, Umar Kasumba, Mike Ndera to Ambrose Kirya, the Nsambya based side have scored seven goals on the continent from six different scorers in four matches.
Celebrations aside, the Jogoos are having sleep-less nights as regards that away trip to North Africa where they have booked a date against Morocco’s FUS Rabat who eliminated UMS Da Loum of Cameroon 3-2 on aggregate.
At least U.shs200M is required for preparations of that trip to Morocco.
Club maestro, Ben Immanuel Misagga is a keen mobilizer and he must be the busiest person with varying thoughts flashing across his mind of the means of raising the money amidst the challenging hurdles and the fast rushing timeline.
Given the time available to the first leg in Casablanca (early April), club administrators have always devised means to seek for the money at all costs including fundraising drives from passionate club philanthropists.
The other obvious channel of raising the money in a record time would be the club’s loyal and never disappointing kind hearted desire of the raising the bar whenever it has mattered most.
Fans world over remain a crucial contributor to a club’s development process.
Add to the fact that Sports Club has the most branches in the country with a well-coordinated system, it is time a special drive within the fans started sooner than later.
From the time SC Villa traveled to Khartoum and Zanzibar (by road), they traveled with a bare minimum squad of 16 players to minimize on the cost.
What is most likely to happen if the plans to mobilize enough money to Morocco fail to materialize?
Should the Jogoos travel with 14 players to Morocco?
My answer is in bold and precise – NO. Ardent, loyal and passionate club fans should act swiftly to avoid such a situation.
Traveling with a limited squad is always a disadvantage to the club.
Fans are the primary solution before another fundraising drive or a look to sponsors is sought.
To all the Jogoos within and out of the country, the ball lies in your court.
