BUL FC vs SC Villa at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru
The StarTimes Uganda Premier League enters a critical stage as SC Villa travel to Njeru to take on third placed BUL FC in what promises to be a closely contested tie with top four implications.
Fresh from a morale boosting 2-1 win over Vipers, the defending champions SC Villa are seeking to build momentum and push back into contention for the continental spots. A win here could lift them to fifth place, depending on URA’s result against Mbarara City.
BUL FC, however, are eager to hold onto their top three status. After a frustrating 1-1 draw with Mbarara City, they will view this home tie as the perfect stage to bounce back. The Eastern Giants also have a score to settle, having lost 2-1 in the first leg and also suffered a 1-0 home defeat to a 10 man SC Villa side last season.
Head-to-Head Recent Meetings:
First Leg (2024/25): SC Villa 2-1 BUL FC
(Goals: Ronald Ssekiganda, Hakim Kiwanuka | Dickson Matama)
Last season (at BUL): BUL FC 0-1 SC Villa
Key Players to Watch:
Charles Lwanga (SC Villa): The striker is in fine form, having recently hit double figures in goals after scoring against Vipers. He trails Allan Okello by four goals in the golden boot race and will be central to Villa’s attacking threat.
Dickson Matama (BUL FC): The goal-scorer in the first-leg loss, he remains a threat and will be key in BUL’s midfield engine.
Team News:
SC Villa:
Out: Ronald Ssekiganda (injury), Cyrus Kibande (injury), Francis Onekalit (injury)
In Form: Charles Lwanga
BUL FC:
Out: Najib Fesali, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Pascal Ngobi (all injured)
Motivated by: Chance to avoid a season double against Villa
What’s at Stake:
BUL FC (3rd, 36 pts): A win keeps them in firm control of third place and possibly narrows the gap on the top two.
SC Villa (8th, 30 pts): A win can push them as high as fifth, keeping their fading title defence hopes mathematically alive and reviving their season.
