SC Villa will step onto the turf at FUFA Stadium, Kadiba on Saturday with one foot already in the Stanbic Uganda Cup final as they prepare to face URA in the decisive second leg of their semi-final showdown.
The record cup winners head into the return fixture carrying a comfortable 2-0 cushion earned in the first meeting at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, where Najib Yiga struck before an own goal from Moses Aliro compounded URA’s misery.
That result left the Tax Collectors with a mountain to climb, but assistant coach Bastu Ssemuyaba insists the tie is far from over despite their difficult position.
“We know the challenge ahead of us, but the players have prepared well and still believe we can overturn the result,” Ssemuyaba said ahead of the clash.
URA’s recent form, however, paints a worrying picture. The side has struggled throughout the campaign, managing only four league victories and going eight matches without a win in normal time. Their only recent success came via penalties against KCCA in the quarter-finals.
Coach Hussein Mbalangu will at least welcome back experienced midfielder Moses Waiswa, whose return could provide much-needed creativity in the middle of the park, although Bright Vvuni remains doubtful.
For SC Villa, the mission is straightforward — avoid collapse and finish the task. The Jogoos are chasing a first Uganda Cup final appearance in more than a decade and arrive with confidence boosted by a dominant home record at Kadiba this season.
Villa also carry a psychological edge over URA, having remained unbeaten in their last six meetings. Earlier in the league campaign, they dismantled the Tax Collectors 3-0 at the same venue through goals from Misi Ssemugera, Najib Yiga and Frank Mulimi.
With momentum, home advantage and a two-goal lead, SC Villa appear firmly in control, while URA must produce their biggest performance of the season to keep their cup hopes alive.
