Villa, Express desperate for revival as league title hopes fade

Uganda Premier League

Saturday Fixtures

SC Villa v Express, 4pm
URA v Maroons, 7pm

Sunday Fixtures

KCCA v Vipers, 7pm
Police v NEC, 4pm
Lugazi v Wakiso, 4pm
BUL v Mbale, 4pm

SC Villa and Express FC will face off on Saturday at Luzira Prisons Grounds, with both sides desperate to bounce back from disappointing starts to the second round of the Uganda Premier League.

Villa were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Wakiso Giants at Kabaka Kyabaggu Grounds, while Express suffered a 2-0 defeat to BUL at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.
Despite having 13 matches remaining, both teams face the harsh reality that their chances of winning the league title are all but over.

These two historic giants of Ugandan football have endured a difficult season, leaving their fans longing for the glory days of the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s when they dominated the domestic scene.

Express last lifted the league title in 2021, a season in which they also won the CECAFA Kagame Cup. However, maintaining that momentum has proven difficult, and the club has since found itself battling relegation threats rather than competing for silverware.

A major concern for Express has been financial instability, with delayed payments to players and coaches leading to strikes and poor performances on the pitch.

Their struggles have also scared away potential sponsors, worsening their financial situation and making it difficult to attract top-quality players. Instead, they have had to settle for average signings willing to endure the challenging conditions.

Currently, Express sit in third place with 25 points, 12 behind league leaders Vipers.

Their position could slip further depending on KCCA’s result against NEC, who played late yesterday. Worse still, their humiliating 7-0 defeat to Kitara in Hoima during the first round sparked allegations of match-fixing, further tarnishing the club’s reputation.
For Villa, this season has exposed the club’s leadership flaws, particularly in the transfer market.

Last season, they ended a 20-year league title drought, edging out BUL, Vipers, and Kitara to claim a record-extending 17th league crown.

Fans had high hopes that the team would build on that success, but instead, they have struggled.

The departures of title-winning coach Dusan Stojanovic, captain Kenneth Semakula, and several key players significantly weakened the squad. While financial constraints played a role, reports suggest that poor negotiations contributed to their exits.

Their replacements have failed to fill the void, leaving the team struggling under interim head coach Morley Byekwaso.

Villa’s away form has been particularly poor, with five losses and three draws in eight matches. As a result, they currently sit in ninth place with 21 points, a massive 16 points behind Vipers.

As Saturday’s derby approaches, Villa have dominated recent meetings, winning four of the last five encounters. However, Express won the reverse fixture last November, securing a 1-0 victory at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, courtesy of Joseph Zziwa’s goal.