Uganda Premier League champions SC Villa have made a bold decision ahead of the second round of the 2024/25 season by terminating the contracts of winger Peter Onzima and defender Edward Masembe.
Both players had a part to cover in the club’s 2023/24 season triumph, which saw Villa end a 20-year league title drought under Serbian coach Dusan Stojanovic.
Onzima, who joined SC Villa from Busoga United at the start of the 2023/24 season, had a year and a half remaining on his contract. However, the club has opted to part ways with the winger, ending his brief spell at the club.
His departure leaves Villa with a gap in their attacking options, with the club looking to bolster their squad for the second half of the season.
Masembe, on the other hand, was set to see out his contract at the end of this season.
Despite this, SC Villa has decided to release the experienced defender early, effectively cutting ties ahead of the second round of the league campaign.
The exits of Onzima and Masembe come just weeks after another high-profile departure, Hakim Kiwanuka, who joined Rwanda’s APR, marking a significant shift in Villa’s squad as they prepare for the challenges of the second round.
SC Villa’s decision to let go of these players reflects their commitment to reshaping the team as they look to improve their fortunes in the ongoing season.
Despite winning the 2023/24 title, Villa has struggled in the current campaign, finishing the first round in eighth position with 20 points.
As they head into the second round, they will be hoping to turn things around and climb higher up the table.
Their first match of the second round will be an away encounter against struggling Wakiso Giants FC on February 11, 2025.
With the team undergoing some reshuffling, the focus will be on how Villa’s remaining squad members perform as they seek to reclaim their form and push for another title challenge.
As the second round approaches, SC Villa’s fans will be eager to see how the team adapts to these changes and whether the club’s bold decisions can lead to greater success in the months ahead.
