Starting line-up without track tops, and subs with white track tops. Squatting left to right: Geoffrey Higenyi, Peter Nsamba, Nkata Paul, Twaha Kivumbi, Magid Musisi (RIP), Robert Ssemakula & Idi Batambuzze.
Standing left to right: Paul Hasule (RIP), William Nkemba, Sula Kato, Paul Mukatabala, Sula Mutaasa, Mike Mukasa, David Kyagulanyi, Ssimbwa Charles, Mugalu & TM Sam Tamale Kapeera (RIP). Credit: File Photo – Paul Mukatabala
Tunisia’s Club Africain, former African champions return to Uganda for the first time since December 1991 when they take on KCCA in the CAF Confederation Cup Group A match.
The Tunisians face off against the Ugandan champions at the astro-turf pitch at Phillip Omondi stadium, Lugogo hoping for a better result to keep their hopes of a quarter final berth alive after winning their first game.
Ugandan soil is remarkable in the history of Club Africain as they lifted their first and only continental title here after a draw with SC Villa to win the tie 7-3 on aggregate.
Kawowo Sports’ Ismael Kiyonga revisits the highly attended clash at now non-existent Nakivubo War Memorial stadium in December 1991.
SC Villa, Uganda’s most successful club were on the receiving end of arguably one of their biggest defeat in history when they lost 6-2 to Club Africain in the first leg of the finals of then Africa Cup of Champions Club (current CAF Champions League).
Magid Musisi (RIP) had given the Jogoos slim hopes of overturning the score line with a double in the loss in Tunis and with home advantage and a big crowd at Nakivubo, maybe a miracle would happen.
The slim hopes of a revival were dealt a blow when Geoffrey Higenyi, one of the greatest defenders in the club’s history scored in his own net to give the visitors a lead and more ground in the tie.
But the Jogoos never gave up and found the equalizer through Iddi Batambuze but that was all the packed Nakivubo stands could witness in terms of goals and the North Africans triumphed at the final whistle.
The SC Villa squad
The Blues had a squad envied by almost everyone on the continent with the likes of Magid Musisi, who later moved to France, William Nkemba, the great Paul Hasule (RIP), arguably the greatest fullback in the history of Ugandan football, Paul Mukatabala, Robert Ssemakula and Mike Mukasa among others.
SC Villa Team on the day at Nakivubo
Mike Mukasa (GK), Geoffrey Higenyi, William Nkemba, Paul Hasule, Paul Nkata, Twaha Kivumbi, Robert Ssemakula, Paul Mukatabala, Sula Mutaasa, Peter Nsaba, Sula Kato, David Kyagulanyi, Charles Ssimbwa, Mugalu, Iddi Batambuze and Magid Musisi.
