Matchday 12 – StarTimes Uganda Premier League
SC Villa (The Jogoos) secured a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Express FC in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League Matchday 12 derby, picking up all three points in a tense and competitive encounter.
The Jogoos started the game with high intensity and dominated possession in the opening minutes, pushing forward in search of an early breakthrough. Their pressure paid off in the 15th minute when Frank Ssebuufu rose highest to head home from a well-delivered Yiga Najib corner, giving Villa a deserved lead.
Express FC responded by tightening their play and balancing possession as they attempted to deny Villa space. Ibrahim Kasinde came close in the 28th minute but his effort went wide. At the half-hour mark, SC Villa remained in control, protecting their slim advantage.
Express threatened to equalize late in the first half, but a brilliant save by David Lukwago in the 39th minute denied them a way back into the match. Another attempt by Mubiru Hasan was safely handled by the red eagles’ goalkeeper. After three minutes of added time, SC Villa went into the break with a 1–0 lead.
The second half saw continued intensity from both sides. Ssebuufu nearly doubled Villa’s lead in the 53rd minute but arrived inches late to connect with a header. Substitutions followed at the hour mark, with David Owori replacing Frank Mulimi, while Bayo Ali came on for Aslam Semakula.
Discipline became a factor as Tonny Atukunda was booked in the 65th minute for a foul on Kawooya, while David Owori also entered the referee’s book in the 75th minute. Villa made further changes in the 70th minute, introducing Patrick Kakande and Gaganga Geoffrey in place of Ibrahim Kasinde and Yiga Najib respectively. Andrew Otim later replaced Ssebuufu in the 83rd minute.
Despite five minutes of added time, Express failed to find an equalizer, and SC Villa held firm to claim all three points in the derby.
Speaking after the match, goalscorer Frank Ssebuufu said:
Derbies are always hard games, but I thank God we played our best to get all the points. Scoring the winning goal and earning Man of the Match is always a motivation for me and the team.”
Head Coach Zeljko Kovevic praised his players’ effort, saying:
Express played well, but we needed the points more. Credit to my boys for the performance. We now shift focus to our next away game against BUL FC.”
The victory took SC Villa to 26 points, level with KCCA FC in second place on the league table. The Jogoos will next travel to face BUL FC on Thursday, 22nd January, in their second fixture of the year.
