The Uganda Premier League comes to a close tomorrow in the tightest finishing fashion we’ve had in recent memory.
The UPL glory hunt is between Vipers the defending champions, Lugogo giants KCCA, and record champions SC Villa.
SC Villa took care of their business in the penultimate game managing a win while KCCA and Vipers secured away draws.
Now, Villa needs a win against their bogey side URA, while Vipers and KCCA are counting on that not happening.
KCCA need Villa and Vipers not to win, while they get a winning result against Bright Stars.
Vipers, in the same breath, need KCCA and SC Villa not to win, while beating up on Busoga United.
The mathematics is as wishful as it is cute. This is the tightest that the title race has been in so long. The beauty about it is that SC Villa is in it, and leading the race.
The Joogos got away with the lead of the table with many expecting them to falter seeing as KCCA and Vipers had games in hand.
The said sure wins hence knocking SC Villa off the summit of the league by the time we got here turned into show-offs.
The impact of an SC Villa triumph
A win for SC Villa is a win for Uganda football. A local giant returns to the scene.
It’s been somewhere close to two decades since SC Villa were local champions and given the administrative storms they’ve had to weather, UPL glory would be a sweet reward.
The last SC Villa team to lift the title, in 2004.
On two fronts, Villa walking away with the title pleases Express. In case you didn’t know, SC Villa started a nurturing ground for young talent and was even referred to as Express’s second team.
In 1976 at the formation of the league, several unlicensed Express reserves including former treasurer Patrick Kawooya joined the veterans at the Nakivubo Boys to form a competitive football club.
Also, a win for SC Villa means that the trophy returns to Wankulukuku – where Express won it just two years ago.
SC Villa became the first team to win the league unbeaten in 1982 and was also the first Ugandan club to clinch a local double, a feat achieved in 1986.
That record was extended to six ‘doubles’ in 2002. From 1998 through 2004, they won seven consecutive championship titles.
Courtesy Photos
