The StarTimes Uganda Premier League title race could take another twist this week, with former champions SC Villa targeting maximum points from their next two matches to strengthen their grip on second place and challenge leaders Bul FC.
The Jogoos, as Villa are affectionately known by their supporters, host Mbarara City FC on Thursday before welcoming Blacks Power FC on Tuesday, October 27, knowing that six points could propel them to the top of the 16-team table.
Villa have collected 14 points from six matches and trail leaders Bul FC by just two points. With their unbeaten run gathering momentum, the Jogoos have an opportunity to turn their promising start into a serious title statement.
Their surge up the standings has been fuelled by an emphatic 6-0 demolition of Police FC on October 14, a result that underlined their attacking potential and boosted confidence ahead of a demanding run of fixtures.
Before that victory, Villa had drawn 1-1 with Kitara FC and Kataka FC. They also registered wins over Express FC (2-0), Kigezi Homeboyz FC (3-0) and URA FC (1-0), maintaining their unbeaten record through six matches.
However, Villa’s push for the summit will depend partly on results elsewhere, particularly today’s encounter between Bul FC and NEC FC at the Fufa Technical Centre in Njeru. Bul lead the standings with 16 points, but face a stern examination against a NEC side that has also collected 14 points and remains unbeaten after six matches.
A victory for NEC would give Villa an opportunity to close the gap on the leaders, while a Bul win would strengthen the Njeru side’s position at the summit. A draw could also work in Villa’s favour, provided the Jogoos deliver in their own fixtures.
For Villa, the immediate task is to negotiate the visit of Mbarara City before turning attention to Blacks Power. Six points would put them firmly in contention for top spot, although their final position will also depend on other results.
Elsewhere, defending champions Vipers SC will look to build on their impressive recent form when they host Police FC at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, on Friday in an 8pm kick-off.
Vipers head into the encounter buoyed by a commanding 5-0 victory over Kataka FC in their last outing, and expectations will be high that they can maintain that momentum against Police.
The Venoms are fifth with 10 points from five matches and have a game in hand on several of the teams above them. Police, meanwhile, face another difficult assignment after their heavy defeat to Villa.
They will need a significant response to contain a Vipers side that appears to be finding its scoring touch. Today (October 21)’s fixtures also carry implications for the upper reaches of the table, with BUL facing NEC and Lugazi FC taking on Express FC, both matches scheduled for 4pm.
Thursday’s programme features Villa against Mbarara City and Kigezi Homeboyz FC against Entebbe UPPC FC at 4pm, before KCCA FC host UPDF FC at 7pm. The league action continues on Tuesday, October 27, when Villa entertain Blacks Power FC, while NEC FC face Ntugasaze FC, UPDF FC meet URA FC and Police FC take on Kigezi Homeboyz FC, all at 4pm. Express FC host Kataka FC at 7pm.
With BUL under pressure from an unbeaten NEC side and Villa chasing the summit, the coming fixtures could provide an early indication of which teams are best placed to sustain a challenge for the title.