The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda Premier League is set for a thrilling end this Saturday as four teams enter the closing day with a chance to claim the 2024 title. A victory for SC Villa will secure the championship regardless of other results.
The title race features record champions SC Villa, Jinja-based BUL FC, Kitende-based Vipers SC, and Hoima-based Kitara FC. SC Villa leads the standings with 54 points, closely followed by BUL FC and Vipers SC, both with 53 points and Kitara FC with 51 points.
A loss or draw for SC Villa, coupled with a positive result for BUL FC, could alter the title outcome. SC Villa, known as the Jogoos, will visit NEC at MTN Omondi Stadium in Lugogo. Vipers SC will host Mbarara City at St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende, while BUL FC will play Busoga United in Jinja.
According to Bernard Bainamani, the CEO of the league, MTN Omondi Stadium has been prioritized as the grand venue for the league’s conclusion due to SC Villa’s position as a current leader which gives them a higher chance of winning the title.
“Being that SC Villa currently leads the table standing, and will be playing away to NEC FC at MTN Omondi Stadium, the venue has been prioritized as the Grand Venue where the FUFA President and other distinguished guests will be,” Bainamani stated.
Bainamani also clarified that if SC Villa, Vipers SC, or BUL FC wins the league, the crowning ceremony will take place on Saturday. However, if Kitara FC triumphs, the crowning event will occur on Sunday at Masindi Stadium.
SC Villa will be keen to avoid repeating last season’s disappointment when they lost the league on the final day to Vipers SC. They had entered the final day as frontrunners with 52 points but lost 0-1 to the Uganda Revenue Authority at Mutesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku.
In that season, SC Villa needed a win against URA to secure the title, while Vipers SC and KCCA FC, both with 50 points, were also in contention. SC Villa ultimately finished third with 52 points after KCCA defeated Bright Stars to finish second, and Vipers SC claimed the title on goal difference, having won against Busoga United and leveled on points (53) with KCCA.
This led to a dramatic scene where the Ugandan FA President Moses Magogo had to hire a chopper to transfer the trophy to St Mary’s Stadium Kitende from Wankulukuku, the anticipated venue for the crowning.
If SC Villa wins this year’s title, it will be their first league championship since 2004, ending a 20-year drought despite being the most successful team in Uganda’s history.
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