Overview:
Nine points separate table leaders Kitara from 5th placed Vipers with the champions having two games in hand over the Royals
The StarTimes Uganda Premier League title race heads into classic contention with Kitara FC, BUL, NEC, SC Villa and Vipers set for a five-way battle as we approach the run-in.
Defending champions Vipers are aiming to win a third successive title, a feat only achieved by record winners SC Villa before twice (five in a row 1986-90 & seven on the bounce; 1998-2004).
The Venoms edged both Villa and KCCA on the last day of last season to retain the title but the Jogoos are back in the fight this campaign and have been joined surprise newcomers Kitara and NEC as well as BUL.
With early pacesetters BUL suffering defeat to Villa and KCCA beating Vipers at Kitende, Kitara lead the way but the league returns from March’s international break with another big game in the race as Abbey Kikomeko’s men visit Brian Ssenyondo’s table leaders at Masindi Municipal stadium and Vipers will away to bogey side URA who lost to Kitara in their last game before the international break.
After this week’s matches, we enter April and the boys will be separated from men. But which team has the best fixtures and who has the hardest run of games to the end the season. Here’s where the title could be won and lost.
KITARA FC
Current Position: 1st
Points: 43
Goal Difference: 21
Remaining fixtures (8): BUL (h), NEC (a), Vipers (h), Express (a), Mbarara City (h), Busoga United (h), Bright Stars (a), Gaddafi (h)
Reason to be confident
In their remaining matches, Kitara face three opponents in the race in BUL, NEC and Vipers with two at home.
Besides, they have five of their last eight home matches at home where they have been magnificent dropping points just twice in the defeat to Maroons and draw with SC Villa.
Reason to be cautious
Playing against three title contenders comes with caution as dropping points in these matches could surely cost you a title.
Again, they have three sides still fighting relegation in there which makes tough encounters as such teams give everything to stay up.
BUL FC
Current Position: 2nd
Points: 39
Goal Difference: 10
Remaining Fixtures (8): Kitara (a), Wakiso Giants (h), Express (h), NEC (a), Vipers SC (h), Busoga United (a), Gaddafi (h), Mbarara City (a)
Reason to be confident
Despite a poor start to the second round, BUL stay in contention but fall four points behind new leaders Kitara.
They still have fellow contenders Kitara and Vipers in their fixtures and that gives them confident as it remains in their own hands. Beat both and you are right in there.
Reason to be cautious
They did bottle it last season at this stage of the season and history appears to be repeating itself as they have won just once in seven second round matches.
Psychologically, this is already a major blow and it will take a stronger mental fortitude for them to put their race back on track.
NEC FC
Current Position: 3rd
Points: 37 points
Goal Difference: 3
Remaining fixtures (8): Wakiso Giants (a), Kitara (h), URA (a), BUL (h), Express (a), Bright Stars (a), Vipers (h), SC Villa (h)
Reason to be confident
The newbies host all the teams they have in the race at home and that gives them advantage and only have Wakiso Giants and Bright Stars as sides fighting relegation.
Reason to be worried
None of the sides in the race have a tougher run-in than Hussein Mbalangu’s men on paper and with less or no experienced players at this stage in this squad, there is every reason to be bothered.
They also have the worst defence amongst all the contenders at this stage.
SC VILLA
Current Position 4th
Points: 36
Goal Difference: 13
Remaining Fixtures 10: Mbarara City (h), Busoga United (a), Bright Stars (h), Gaddafi (a), KCCA (a), Wakiso Giants (h), UPDF (a), URA (h), Vipers (h), NEC (a)
Reason to be confident
Titles are usually won by the best defence and SC Villa conceded the least at this point so far with 13 goals let in.
Their fixture looks decent with only two bogey sides in KCCA and URA. Besides, they have done well against fellow contenders with a draw at Vipers and Kitara and wins against BUL and NEC.
They are also unbeaten on the road this campaign – the only unbeaten away from home.
Reason to be worried
Last season’s last day capitulation hangs over them as they failed the URA test to hand Vipers the title. They also have an inexperienced squad in terms of winning trophies as compared to their rivals.
Again, there remain question marks in the No 9 position with the Jogoos lacking that prolific forward to put away the chances they easily fashion out. Could the lack of that out-and-out striker with a killer touch cost them?
VIPERS SC
Current Position: 5th
Points: 35
Goal Difference: 16
Remaining Fixtures (10): URA (a), UPDF (h), Kitara (a), Maroons (h), BUL (a), Express (h), NEC (a), Busoga United (h), Mbarara City (h), SC Villa (a)
Reason to be confident
They have the most experienced squad at this stage of the competition in terms of winning trophies and as a team, knows when to engage top gear.
Reason to be worried
The champions play all their fellow title contenders away from home where they form has been worrying with just three wins away from home.
In addition, they have lacked a consistent prolific goal scorers this season with their leading scorers (Karisa & Fumador) with only four goals.
Uganda Cup
With the double still on for Kitara, BUL, Vipers and NEC, they have another distraction unlike SC Villa which was eliminated in the past round.
The timing of those Uganda Cup quarter fixtures and the re-arranged Villa vs Vipers clash will be crucial.
