Danito NSUBUGA
For the interest our contemporary followers, we shall leave out those early duels when Villa and Vipers results were decided in the boardroom.
The days when Vipers were still known as Bunamwaya and their games were hosted in Buikwe, of course we can’t fail to give them a mention because they are the genesis of all what we witness today.
Like any big bull in the kraal, SC Villa have been intimidated by the emergency of Vipers SC as a new force that is threatening their chiefdom.
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With Villa’s might falling on the pitch, a section of fans decided to take matters into their hands in a bid to protect what they think is a natural right to rule Ugandan football.
Here is a selection of a few notable duels that have been memorable in the previous seasons.
SC Villa 2-1 Vipers, Nakivubo stadium December 3rd 2016
This is the match that brought the curtains down on Abdallah Mubiru’s short spell at the helm of Vipers SC.
He had been in charge of the club for only 5 months into his 3 year contract when this fateful fixture arose.
With the trigger happy club owner Lawrence Mulindwa in the stands, Vipers started well courtesy of Ibrahim Kayiwa’s first half goal.
Villa returned a different entity in the second period with a spirited display from captain Taddeo Lwanga who won and converted a penalty which was followed by an Ambrose Kirya late strike.
SC Villa 0-1 Vipers, Masaka recreation ground. April 17 2018
This is the game that SC Villa needed to win so badly to seal the much elusive title number 17.
Topping the log with a 5 point cushion , the Jogoos failed to contain Vipers SC at Masaka recreation grounds. Wasswa Bbosa was accused of tinkering with a winning team that was enjoying a home unbeaten run.
Their spine was broken by a Dan Mzee Sserunkuuma strike in the 30th minute which they failed to recover from. Miguel Da Costa’s men went on to win all their remaining games and ultimately won the title.
Vipers SC 1-0 SC Villa, St. Mary’s Kitende 23rd September 2017.
One of the games in the recent past to have witnessed the ugliest scenes was played at St. Mary’s stadium Kitende.
It was a fiercely contested tie that FIFA referee Alex Mugabi will love to forget for it completely fell out of his hands.
Tackles flew left right and center and the man in black tried to calm the flares by flashing yellow cards.
Tom Masiko was minimally brought down near the edge of Villa’s box and a resultant free kick was converted in the 29th minute.
The visitors pushed for an equaliser but in vain, their frustration brew deeper when defender Shafiq Bakaki appeared to have handled the ball in the forbidden area but Muhabi waved play on.
Dissatisfied SC Villa fans protested by throwing water bottles to the VIP stands and in the process, metallic stadium barriers were broken and SC Villa were docked 4 points for failure to control their fans.
The action returned to bite them later in the title run in when they lost the title to Vipers on as many points.
Vipers SC 1-3 SC Villa, St. Mary’s Kitende 19th February 2019.
This must have been the sweetest of victories for SC Villa in their most recent past.
SC Villa only won 7 matches last season with that famous 3-1 victory being the highlight of all.
With Vipers chasing the title and Villa fighting the drop, few would have anticipated the results to go astray.
Most SC Villa fans refused to attend the match in protest of Mulindwa’s ban imposed on a section of their fans for indiscipline.
They did not expect to win anyway but the unthinkable happened when a side inspired by vengeance from most of the Villa players who had been let go by Vipers.
Douglas Bamweyana named a side dominated by former Vipers players including Shafiq Bakaki, Asharaf Mandela, Bashir Mutanda, Joseph Semujju and Pius Wangi.
Wangi and Ssemujju added to Charles Lwanga’s goal, whereas Vipers consolation was scored by Tito Okello. Those protesting fans had decided to convene at Villa park where they followed proceedings at Kitende. After the final whistle, they went to Kitende and escorted their heroes back home.
