Byekwaso’s future uncertain as SC Villa’s title defence falters

Uganda Premier League

Sunday Result

SC Villa 0 Maroons 2

SC Villa’s dismal performance in the Uganda Premier League this season has cast serious doubt on interim head coach Morley Byekwaso’s chances of retaining his job at Wankulukuku beyond this campaign.

This marks a stark contrast to last season when Villa were title contenders and eventually clinched their first league trophy in two decades, edging out rivals BUL, Kitara, and Vipers.

This season, however, the club finds itself languishing in ninth place with 24 points, a staggering 22 points behind league leaders Vipers, who have 46 points after 19 matches. Their title defence has effectively collapsed, leaving fans and management deeply frustrated.

Byekwaso, who served as an assistant to Serbian coach Dusan Stojanovic during last season’s triumphant campaign, was appointed interim head coach after Stojanovic’s departure due to unmet contractual demands. However, his appointment was met with scepticism from sections of the fanbase, largely due to his previous stints as both assistant and head coach at Villa’s arch-rivals, KCCA.

Villa’s struggles this season have been exacerbated by the departure of key players from last year’s title-winning squad, including captain Kenneth Semakula, Gavin Kizito, and Umar Lutalo. Despite signing replacements, the club has failed to adequately fill the void left by these influential figures.

Byekwaso’s tenure began with a promising 4-2 victory over Mbarara City, but a shocking 1-0 defeat to newly promoted Mbale Heroes quickly derailed their momentum. Since then, Villa has been plagued by inconsistency, failing to secure back-to-back wins and frequently dropping points from winning positions. They have also yet to win an away match this season.

The team’s woes were compounded by an early exit from the CAF Champions League preliminary rounds, where they were eliminated by Ethiopia’s Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE). While some attributed this failure to Villa’s long absence from continental competitions, expectations for a strong league performance remained high.

Recent results have further intensified the pressure on Byekwaso. Last Sunday, Villa suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Maroons, with goals from Raymond Walugembe and Abel Eturude. This loss, widely regarded as their worst performance of the season, followed a 2-0 defeat to UPDF in Bombo. The back-to-back losses sparked outrage among fans, who directed insults at Byekwaso and the players while demanding his immediate dismissal.

Reports suggest that Villa’s top decision-makers have begun discussions about Byekwaso’s future. According to a source who spoke to Vision Sports on condition of anonymity, most executives believe they have “seen enough” and are considering a replacement.

However, some defend Byekwaso, arguing that the team’s struggles stem from individual errors by senior players and the club’s failure to adequately support him in the transfer market. They contend that he has been forced to work with a squad ill-equipped for a title defence.

As the season progresses, the question remains whether Villa will stand by Byekwaso or seek a new coach to restore the club’s competitive edge.