Tuesday April 17, 2018
- SC Villa Vs Vipers – Masaka Recreation Ground 4pm
Tuesday’s match at Masaka Recreation Ground between SC Villa and Vipers is a massive one for both clubs as far as the title race is concerned.
A home victory will move Wasswa Bbosa’s men nine points clear of the Venoms with just six matches remaining, whilst Jorge Da Costa’s men will cut gap to three with a game in hand if they win in Masaka.
Coming into the game, SC Villa are in fine form with 13 points out of a possible 15 and are chasing a 5th straight win while Venoms have only dropped four points in the same period.
What adds more spice to the fixture are events from the reverse fixture which Vipers won 1-0 courtesy of Tom Masiko free kick at St. Mary’s Kitende.
The visiting fans were unhappy with the way referee Alex Muhabi handled the game and vandalized part of the stadium prompting FUFA to fine the club and also penalize them with a two point and goals deduction.
Again, the return of former Jogoos skipper Taddeo Lwanga who returns to face the side for the first time away from Kitende.
The midfield gem has however opted to focus more on the game than playing against a club that he nearly guided to league triumph last season.
“For sure, it’s an important game,” said Lwanga. “As a team, we have prepared for the best way possible and we know their threat especially Martin Kizza, their top scorer but they have more quality than just Kizza,” he added.
SC Villa assistant coach Paul Mukatabala says the team is in fine shape with no injury worries and is aware of what victory means to the team’s target this season.
“No injury worries as all our injured players are back in training. So we’re set for tomorrow,” he told Kawowo Sports. “Games that define a team’s season and for us this is right up there,” he added.
If we get a victory, it’s one big grasp on this season’s title quest. So we are well aware of the significance of tomorrow’s clash with fellow title contenders, Vipers SC.
Team news
The Jogoos are hopeful that both John Adriko and Godfrey Lwesibawa will be fit to face the Venoms after missing the 1-0 win over Police last week.
The two have since trained well with the rest of the team that has camped in Masaka since last week.
Both Dan Birikwalira and Yayo Lutimba are expected to be excluded from Vipers’ squad due to injuries while Milton Kariisa and Taddeo Lwanga are doubtful after picking knocks but available in the match day squad.
Stats
- Vipers lead the Head to Head stats with 10 wins, 5 losses and 10 draws in 25 meetings.
- Since 2011/12 season, SC Villa have only twice against Vipers – both wins came last season; 1-0 in Masaka and 2-1 at Nakivubo.
- SC Villa have not lost a game since relocating to Masaka midway last season and have dropped points only three times in draws against KCCA, Maroons and Police.
- Martin Kizza, SC Villa go to man has scored 6 goals in as many league games in succession.
Key Players
Martin Kizza (SC Villa): The attacking midfielder is enjoying the form of his life with six goals in six games so and overall, his 9 goals have collected the Jogoos 19 points of the 49.
Daniel Sserunkuma (Vipers): The diminutive forward is currently suffering with a bad spell with three games on the bounce with no goal but can’t be written off.
The forward will be a thorn in the flesh of the Jogoos backline all afternoon.