SC Villa vs KCCA title-shaping match would be the most anticipated showdown for any ardent Uganda Premier League fan.

This specific clash comes at a time when the two rivals are at different wave lengths, but that nonetheless won’t dim the tension and animosity of the encounter.

There will be no love lost when Mike Mutebi’s league leaders KCCA invade Ibrahim Kirya’s 10th-placed Villa this afternoon at Nakivubo in search of a win to galvanize their summit status.

Mutebi, formerly with Villa, knows the possible surprises that come with playing a side that has nothing to lose like the Jogoos.

Mutebi  may be able to use the services of Herman Wasswa, Lawrence Kasadha, Godfrey Ssembatya and Timothy Awany who have been out injured for long spells. He will, however, miss deputy skipper Joseph Ochaya (accumulated yellows), Julius Poloto, Richard Ayiko, Emma Magembe and Richard Ayiko.

At Villa Park, Kirya is optimistic that although the league title now looks out of sight for his side, they are out to fight for pride against KCCA. “Though we lost to The Saints in our last tie, we are bringing a different game plan against KCCA because this is a fixture we are traditionally not supposed to lose,” he told Daily Monitor yesterday.

In the absence of Robert Achema, Yeseri Waibi and Isaac Muleme, Kirya has planned to unleash the attacking combo of Umar Kasumba, Karim Ndugwa, Denis Kamanzi, Ambrose Kirya and Mike Sserumaga onto the makeshift KCCA backline of Habib Kavuma, Saka Mpiima, Martin Mpuuga and Dennis Okot.

While the cross city rivals will be huffing and puffing at Nakivubo, second placed Vipers, three points adrift of KCCA with a game in hand, will be engaging JMC at Kakindu in a match coach George Best Nsimbe has described as ‘tricky’.
“We are going to parade the same team that beat Express 1-0 at Buikwe on Tuesday and hope to return with three points,” Nsimbe said.

Meanwhile, Moses Basena’s Saints can confirm their safety with conquest over relegated Maroons at Namboole.