DAVID GOMBE
Vipers SC will entertain SC Villa tomorrow (8th February 2019) in a league encounter at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende. This is considered to be one of the biggest rivalries in Uganda’s topflight division.
The rivalry has been fuelled by the resentment both sets of fans hold towards the other. As well as the physical violence, section of the club’s fan bases often taunt each other with unsavoury chants.
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Vipers SC come in this contest second placed on the log with 37 points only three adrift of the leaders KCCA FC whereas Villa lies 13th with 15 points.
This will be the 28th meeting between the two sides, with Vipers managing 12 wins, Villa 5 wins and 10 games ending in stalemates. The Venoms will be aiming for their fourth league double over their arch rivals.
In their first round meeting, Vipers humbled Villa 3-1 at Mandela National Stadium last year. By then Vipers was under stewardship of Javier Martinez Espinoza whereas Moses Basena was in charge of the record league champions.
Vipers SC claimed a 1-0 defeat away to Nyamityobora in their previous game whereas Villa was held by Bright Stars to 1-1 all draw.
Villa tactician Douglas Bamweyana is optimistic his side can pull off a miraculous victory over their rivals
“We face a rival side that is unbeaten, we know their strength and we are ready and well prepared for them. We will fight for maximum points and I call upon the fans to stay calm and rally behind their team to get positive results on the pitch.”
It is a tense game both on and other the pitch and I am remain hopeful that we shall put a smile on our fans tomorrow.”
stated Bamweyana.
Kenyan tactician Micheal Nam Ouma’s side will be without suspended Ibrahim Kiyemba but the positive news is that Bashir Asiku is back from injury.
On the other hand, Villa will welcome back left back John Adriko who missed the previous game through injury.
Innocent Wafula, Dan Sserunkuma and Diego Hamis Kiiza will be expected to provide the needed magic to inspire the home side to maximum points. Taddeo Lwanga and Henry Katongole will be facing their former side.
Ashiraf Mandela, Bashir Mutanda, Pius Wangi, Joseph Ssemujju and Mike Serumaga will be facing their former paymasters. They will also be expected to put up a tremendous performance to inspire the visitors to dreamland.
Vipers SC are unbeaten in 33 league game with their last defeat coming against URA FC in November, 2017. Can Villa’s historical supremacy help them overcome the Venoms?
