SC Villa and Vipers meet at Mutesa II stadium, Wankulukuku on Tuesday in a fixture regarded by supporters and players as fiercer and more important than the clubs’ respective city derbies.
Both teams have enjoyed dominant periods in the top flight – SC Villa until 2004 – but now are bidding to recapture past glory after relatively falling off.
Tuesday’s clash will have added spice as the two teams are bidding to take lead in the title race as the season enters the final bend with either trying to outwit each other in a battle that is sure to add to the list of great matches.
Here are five memorable clashes between the arch-rivals.
APRIL 2023 – SC VILLA 1-0 VIPERS SC
Charles Bbaale celebrates a goal for SC Villa Credit: John Batanudde
SC Villa came into the game on the back of a morale deflating 4-1 defeat away to KCCA that appeared to have ended their title charge.
They were underdogs against the Venoms but ended up rejuvenating their chances with a 1-0 win over Alex Isabirye’s men.
Charles Bbaale scored the only goal in the 35th minute which left Vipers title defence on the line while recharging Villa’s chances.
The win set the tone for a great finish to the season that was decided by on the final day of the season.
FEBRUARY 2019 – VIPERS SC 1-3 SC VILLA
SC Villa players celebrate goal vs Vipers at Kitende Credit: Aisha Nakato
Kitende old boys Pius Wanji, Joseph Ssemujju and then S.1 student Charles Lwanga stunned hosts Vipers in their first ever win at St. Mary’s stadium, Kitende.
Villa headed into the game with odds against them, entrenched in a relegation fight and nobody gave them a chance.
But they ended up stunning the home crowd and celebrated in a manner that depicted them as kids after they had been deemed surplus to requirements at Vipers SC.
SEPTEMER 2017 – VIPERS 1-0 SC VILLA
Tom Masiko and Karisa close down Villa’s Allan Kyambadde Credit: John Batanudde
The fixture that escalated the fast-growing rivalry between the two sides as ugly scenes in the stands took a shine off a good game on the pitch.
Tom Masiko free kick decided the game but Villa players, technical staff and fans were left cursing Alex Muhabi for ‘biased officiating’.
The fans took matters into own hands and vandalized the newly constructed St. Mary’s stadium and also threw bottles into the pitch.
Not even the intervention of Buganda Katikiiro Charles Peter Mayiga, a staunch Villa fan saved the situation but luckily, football on the pitch was uninterrupted.
APRIL 2018 – SC VILLA 0-1 VIPERS SC
Daniel Sserunkuma vs Lumu Issa at Masaka Recreation Ground Credit: Courtesy
A fixture that literally ended SC Villa’s title charge in the 2017/18 season.
With Masaka Recreation Ground filled to capacity, Daniel Sserunkuma goal in the 32nd minute won the game for Vipers SC and gave them advantage in the race which they went on to win.
Villa were the dominant side on the day but lethargic in the final third with Ayub Bogere the chief culprit for missing good opportunities.
DECEMBER 2016 – VIPERS 1-2 SC VILLA
Taddeo Lwanga is joined by Vitalis Tabu in celebrating the equaliser against Vipers at Nakivubo last season while at SC Villa. Credit: © Kawowo Sports / AMINAH BABIRYE
A game that ended Abdallah Mubiru’s short career at Vipers as they lost to Villa 2-1 at Nakivubo.
Ibrahim Kayiwa scored early for Vipers SC but goals from Taddeo Lwanga and a late winner by Ambrose Kirya saw the Jogoos earn their first win over Vipers in over seven years.
MAY 2015 – SC VILLA 0-2 VIPERS
Deus Bukenya and Farouk Miya netted in either half as Vipers won the title decider at a fully packed Nakivubo stadium.
The game saw the Venoms open a four-point gap with only one round of games to play and all but earned Vipers only their second league title and leaving Ben Misagga’s bankrolled Jogoos with a Uganda Cup to fight for.
Villa needed a win to get closer to the trophy but were outclassed by a youthful Vipers side led by Miya, Keziron Kizito and Ismail Watenga among others.
The post SC Villa Vs Vipers SC: Six Great Clashes appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
