Tuesday March 18, 2025

Stanbic Uganda Cup

Lugazi FC Vs SC Villa

Lugazi FC Stadium

Kick-off: 3PM

It’s a high stakes clash for Stanbic Uganda Cup progression at the Lugazi FC Stadium – Najjembe on Tuesday.

Lugazi FC face nine time winners SC Villa at the round of 16, with a place in the quarter-finals awaiting the victor. Both teams have scored the same number of goals (4), and among the sides yet to concede a goal in the Cup this campaign.

The Leaders enter the game aiming to sustain our recent enviable momentum which has yielded five wins from the past immediate six matches, with the only dark spot along the streak being a 2-0 loss to NEC FC at the beginning of this month.

Steven Bogere and his men will be encouraged by the recent 3-1 beating of Mbale Heroes, while a tally of three goals four days ago exudes confidence with in the squad. The team had never had such a bulk of goals in a single game this season.

To reach this stage of the competition, Lugazi FC beat fourth division side Mayuge United 2-0 at the round of 64 in mid-January before defeating Uganda premier league hopefuls Calvary FC at the round of 32 by the same margin last month. It’s the first time playing in the round of 16 of the Stanbic Uganda Cup for the Leaders.

Our visitors have lifted this trophy nine times, with their 3-0 victory over KCCA FC in a replay of the final inspired by Augustin Nsumba, Abdul Karim Kasule and Yesseri Waibi at Mandela National Stadium in June 2015 – being their most recent taste of success in this competition.

SC Villa swept aside Buganda regional league team Seeta United with a 3-0 victory at the round of 64, before they narrowly beat Simba FC 1-0 to qualify for this phase.

After losing two consecutive games in the league, the Jogoos returned to winning ways last Friday, thrashing Bright Stars 3-1 at Kavumba Recreation Grounds.

This will be the second time Lugazi FC and SC Villa are meeting this season.  The sides met in early December last year, and they settled for a one all draw in the Uganda premier league.

Team News:

In the attack, winger Alvin Birungi Twine has returned to full fitness after recovering from an ankle injury, while defender Akiram Massa has also recovered.

However, Vice-captain Nelson Mandela appear unlikely to be available for selection due to personal reasons.

Speaking after the last training, Coach Gerald Efiti said our chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals stands at 80%.

“The morale is high after winning our last game. The boys are now scoring more goals than they did in the first round. They have the confidence. Even though we are playing a side that has won this competition for so many times, our camp is okay, everyone is there, and all players are ready to hit the ground tomorrow.”

“We have players with experience at this stage, they are there to motivate their teammates who have never been here before, and I think everyone is ready to go tomorrow because we are at home. The boys have the confidence, we’re going to win the game.”

“We drew against SC Villa when we met in the first round of the league but we got many chances that we didn’t convert. Now that we are scoring at will, I think our chances of going through are so high.”

Roving fullback Emmanuel Obua said;

“They have won this trophy nine times but we are not going to fear them. We going to handle this match like any other usual game. As players, we are ready and set for tomorrow, hoping for a better game and results.”

“We have a wealth of experience in the squad, and we who have ever won this cup will help our colleagues on how to handle this game. We are hoping to go through.”

Uganda Cup Journey 2024/25

Lugazi FC

January 16, 2025

Mayuge United 0-2 Lugazi FC (R64)

February 24, 2025

Calvary FC 0-2 Lugazi FC (R32)

SC Villa

January 23, 2025

Seeta United 0-3 SC Villa (R64)

February 19, 2025

Simba FC 0-1 SC Villa (R32).