The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A wave of joy on Saturday evening swept through MTN Omondi Stadium as SC Villa were crowned the champions of the 2024 Star Times Uganda Premier League.
Two second-half goals from Charles Lwanga and Hakim Kiwanuka helped the Jogoos to overcome NEC and secure the 2024 championship.
Fans and the SC Villa team had waited for this moment for two decades, their last league victory dating back to 2004 when many of the current players were just children. At halftime, the atmosphere at the stadium was nervous as the score stood at 0-0, a result that would have handed the trophy to SC Villa’s closest rivals, BUL, who were leading Busoga United.
SC Villa entered the game leading the standings with 54 points, closely followed by BUL FC and Vipers SC, both with 53 points, and Kitara FC with 51 points. SC Villa needed a victory to secure the championship regardless of the result elsewhere. However, a loss or draw for SC Villa, coupled with a positive result for BUL FC, could alter the title outcome.
Fans fervently prayed for SC Villa to score, fearing a repeat of last season’s heartbreak when they lost the league title on the final day to Vipers SC. They had entered the final day as leaders with 52 points but suffered a 1-0 defeat to Uganda Revenue Authority at Mutesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku.
In that season, SC Villa needed a win against URA to clinch the title, while Vipers SC and KCCA FC, both with 50 points, were also in the hunt. SC Villa finished third with 52 points after KCCA defeated Bright Stars to claim second place, and Vipers SC won the title on goal difference, having matched KCCA’s 53 points after beating Busoga United.
All fears were alleviated in the second half when Lwanga netted the first goal, followed by Kiwanuka’s strike, sealing the victory. Euphoria erupted at full time as thousands of SC Villa fans breached stadium barriers and fences, pouring onto the pitch to celebrate with their heroes.
The MTN Omondi Stadium was a sea of blue, with fans chanting “Villa Joogo, twambala blue netujoogera omwo abantu.” One their famous chants.
Prominent SC Villa supporters, including Katikiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayiga, Club President Omar Mandela, and former Uganda Cranes Head Coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojević, were seen celebrating from the VVIP section.
The trophy presentation was delayed for nearly an hour as security officials negotiated with the jubilant SC Villa fans to clear the pitch for the awards ceremony. The organizing committee, which had initially planned to deliver the trophy directly to the pitch via helicopter, had to alter their plans, landing the chopper outside the stadium instead.
Speaking to URN on the sidelines, SC Villa captain Ssemakula thanked his teammates for having learned from the previous mistakes and fought hard to win this year’s silverware. “We thank God that we brought back SC Villa’s respect. We learned from the mistakes of last season and did everything to secure this year’s trophy.” He briefly told URN
Coach Milutin Micho, who is also a former SC Villa coach, hailed the current Villa coach for the style of play and resilience he instilled in the players and also thanked fans for supporting the team even during hard times.
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