SC Villa return to the CECAFA Kagame Cup for the first time in over 19 years. The Jogoos, three-time winners are back in the tournament on Tanzania land where they lifted their last regional title. Back in 2005, the 17-time record Ugandan champions won the Kagame Cup not only unbeaten but also without conceding a goal under the stewardship of the late Sam Timbe (RIP).
As they go back to Tanzania where they are in Group C alongside Rwanda’s APR, South Sudan’s Al Merriekh Bentiu and Tanzania’s Singinda Black Stars, Ismael Kiyonga revisits the story of Mwanza and how Villa lifted the title. Let’s get started. SC Villa was drawn in group A that had Rwanda’s Rayon Sport FC, Tanzania’s Simba SC, Atletico FC of Burundi and Somalia’s Elman FC.
Sam Timbe’s side began their journey to the championship with a 1-0 win of Tanzania’s Simba SC. Kenyan import Bernard Mwalala’s 19 minute strike was enough to lift Villa. The result was reminiscent of the 2003 final in which another foreign import in Tanzania’s Tendwa Vicent struck for Villa to beat Simba SC at Namboole under Serbian Mulitin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic.
The Jogoos went rampant in their second game of the group hitting Somalian champions Elman for dead. Benard Mwalala was on a hat trick scoring in the 11 , 23 and 76 minutes while Robert Ssentongo and Samadu Mutumba added the two goals to move top of Group A. The result ended Villa’s perfect run but the positive from the game was the clean sheet thanks to Denis.
