Twenty-three years since the Masaka Recreation ground ceased being SC Villa’s championship winning fortress, the Jogoos begin life their this Sunday, and Onduparaka FC will be there maiden visitors.
It will be student versus teacher, when SC Villa coach Wasswa Bbosa takes on his Onduparaka counterpart Leo Adraa. But this game will be of special importance to the hosts, who suffered a humiliating 3-4 defeat in the first round at the hands of Onduparaka. Revenge will be on the minds of the Villa fraternity.
However, even more significantly, the return to Masaka is expected to evoke numerous memories. The recreation ground, right in the heart of Masaka town, was Villa’s home from 1990 to 1994. While there, they won three league titles in 1990, 1992 and 1994.
The last one was particularly memorable. On the final day of the 1994 season, Villa hosted archrivals and table leaders Express FC on 65 points. Villa were on 64.
So, a draw would suffice for Express. And with a first half penalty handed to the Red Eagles, they were getting even more than they had bargained for. It did not seem to matter that their captain George Ssimwogerere skied the penalty, however uncharacteristic this was of ‘Long George’, as he was famously called for his tall frame.
Yet, it would equally have been a rarity for Villa to lose to Express in Masaka. And in the second half, a largely unknown and unfancied left-back Simon Ssemwogerere broke down the left flank and let fly into Express goalkeeper Abu Kigenyi’s top corner, to hand Villa their ninth league title.
Bbosa hopes his team can replicate such success routinely in Masaka, as the previous generations of stars did so fondly. Villa with the likes of the late Majid Musisi and the late Paul Hasule delighted the town.
One of those big delights came in Musisi’s last game in Masaka before he became a professional at Stade Rennes in France in 1992. Musisi scored four goals and Robert Ssemakula the fifth in a 5-0 rout of KCCA FC.
How fitting a start it would be for the Jogoos if they subjected Onduparaka to the same! But not if Adraa has something to do about it. They are going to Masaka to win, he promised.
UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE
Friday @4pm:
URA V Soana
Police v Bul
JMC v Sadolin
Lweza v Proline
Sunday @4pm:
SC Villa v Onduparaka
Bright Stars v The Saints
Kirinya v Express
jovi@observer.ug