Daniel NSUBUGA
One of the most attended matches of the Uganda Premier league so far this season produced a spectacle noteworthy that all the neutrals were left satisfied with the show put by two sides on the night.
An end to end affair whose end result did not deserve to read, stalemate. Villa in the end missed out on an opportunity to close the gap on the leaders.
Here are a few points we observed from the match.
Vipers need a better finisher
They may win the Uganda Premier League with what they have in store but won’t go far in more high level competitions without a lethal goal getter.
It’s not by coincidence that their top scorer this season is Karim Watambala, a midfielder, followed by Milton Karisa and Arafat Usama who are also midfielders.
Last evening against SC Villa, they created enough opportunities to win the match, most evidently the one that fell to Milton Karisa at the death of the match. A more clinical striker should have put that one away.
Hassan Mubiru reborn
Young SC Villa Winger Hassan Mubiru is finally showing glimpses of the high potential he promised when budding up at Express FC Junior Team
After breaking through to the Red Eagles’ senior team, Mubiru was prized away by KCCA where he struggled to hit the ground running who later released him on a free and joined Villa.
Still at Villa under Morley Byekwaso, Mubiru failed to put up convincing performances to warrant a starting place which reduced him to just another squad play.
The appointment of Serbian Kovacevic Zeljko who took over the mantle in July year became a life saver for the left footed winger, he has regained bags of confidence and appeared to be the man to make things happen every time he got on the ball. Good times ahead for him.
Patrick Jonah Kakande still Villa’s main man
The diminutive winger was a constant menace for Ashraf Mandela during the entire first half and Villa looked dangerous every time they put him on the ball.
Until his early withdrawal in the second period after suffering a knock, the Vipers’ marauding full back struggled to make is signature busting runs in support of their attack. Reagan Mpande his replacement could not replicate his tenacity and pace.
After battling for form especially in the early stages of the season, the star man has proved to be the main man again.
Raymond Barasa Mangoli is a revelation
Calm, composed and comfortable on the ball. The young defender who joined Villa from Jinja S.S and Gaddafi Junior Team left everyone in awe after exhibiting confidence of a seasoned league player.
His game reading and passing ability is a huge foundation of Villa’s patient style of initiating attacks from the back . One may have to worry for the more senior Anold Odong whose place on the team is under very immense threat.
Lucky Kasalirwe failed to make some important calls
