Six interesting things that have happened since Villa last won the title two decades ago

Charles Bbaale has been the lead striker at SC Villa.

SUPL RACE Six interesting things that have happened since Villa last won the title two decades ago

Allan Damba 13:59 - 24.05.2023

A whole lot has happened since the Jogoo last clinched the league, locally. And, Pulse Sports Uganda delves into some of the most interesting bits.

Record holders SC Villa are on the verge of securing a 17th Uganda Premier League title, 19 years since they scooped the last.

While they won the last in 2004 with two games to spare, they will this time round need to beat URA FC on the last day of the season to ensure their glory days return.

URA FC

Ironically, their final opponent of the season, URA has won six domestic titles in that period, including three league titles and just as many Uganda Cups.

The Tax Collectors won the league in each of 2006, 2008/09 and the 2010/11 campaign. They then added a Uganda Cup in each of 2005, 2011/12 and in 2013/14.

URA players celebrate after clinching the 2010/11 league trophy|UPL Image

KCCA FC

Since the last time Villa were Ugandan champions, their historical nemesis KCCA FC has won a huge six league title (2007/08, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2015/16, 2016/17 and in 2018/19).

KCCA FC celebrate the 2018|19 league title|SUPL Image

These included three under the stewardship of one man, Mike Mutebi and a domestic double in 2017.

The team also became the first Ugandan side to play the CAF Champions League group stages in 2018.

VIPERS SC

Since Villa won the league in 2004, Vipers has since evolved from Bunamwaya FC in 2012, but also gone on to secure considerable glory.

Defending champions Vipers celebrating the 2021/22 title|vipers image

The Kitende side has won five Uganda Premier League titles (2010, 2015, 2017/18, 2019/20 and 2021/22 and two Uganda Cups in 2016 and 2021.

The Venoms have also since played the CAF Champions League group stages in 2023, the second team to achieve the feat.

TRAVIS MUTYABA

The other irony is Travis Mutyaba, who is one of Villa's most important players in their title charge wasn't born the last time they won the trophy.

SC Villa's Travis Mutyaba (M) dribbles past then Express' midfield duo of Nicholas Kasozi (left) and Abel Eturude (R) at Wankulukuku Stadium | Courtesy Image

The youngster, born on August 7, 2005 is now 17, but graced the face of the earth two years after the Jogoo clinched the league title.

ROGERS MATO

KCCA FC player and Uganda Cranes hero in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Tanzania over a month ago, Rogers Mato was less than a year the last time Villa won the title.

Uganda Cranes forward Rogers Mato celebrating his goal against Tanzania in the AFCON qualifiers at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam // FUFA Image

Born on October 10, 2003, he and other Uganda Cranes players like Isma Mugulusi and Titus Ssematimba, were just months in 2004 as Villa won the UPL.

SC VILLA FOREIGN COACHES

While Villa has rotated around a crowd of coaches since they last won the league title in 2004, they've had three from overseas in that long spell.

While Serbian Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevich won their last, they tried his compatriot Srdjan Zivojnov in 2010, before he left in November 2011.

They also gambled with Spanish, Antonio Flores in July 2015, but left after three months in October.

Their last was Greek, Petros Koukouras who they appointed in 2021 and only last for a season, before being shown the exit.

Koukouras on the touchline for Villa last season| Bata Image