Last eight clubs in the Uganda Cup;
Kansai Plascon, SC Villa, Kitara FC, SC Vipers, KCCA FC, Proline FC, Synergy FC, KJT
By Denis West
The last two editions of the Stanbic Uganda Cup have seen two maligned sides – Onduparaka and Paidha Black Angels – run up to the finals.
Even the ongoing 44th edition, the statusquo may be the same going by the surprising performances of lower division sides like Synergy FC, KJT, Kansai Plascon and Kitara FC.
It is a statement that the gap between the Uganda Premier League (UPL) and the Fufa Big League (FBL) is narrowing with time.
Yet victory for Regional side KJT over Bul, coming weeks after the memorable ejection of three-time winners URA, reminds many of the unpredictable nature of the knockout tourney that started in 1971.
It was noticeable that the remaining four UPL teams struggled to make the quarterfinals.
Vipers, like nine-time winners SC Villa, needed 1-0 score at St Mary’s stadium to eliminate FBL side Kira United while KCCA, Proline required spot kicks magic to progress.
With the league title race amongst favourites; KCCA, Vipers and Villa heading to the wire, you would expect the three teams to prioritize the league crown to the Uganda Cup.
On the contrary, the remaining four perceived underdogs have just been emboldened by their latest ‘big’ achievement and will give it their whole to make it to the later stages.
Now that the winner gets Shs30m on top of the trophy, that could be an extra motivating factor. The hindrance to their bid would be the hefty requirements for a Uganda Cup winner to participate in the Caf Confederations Cup bearing in mind that this year Uganda never got a representative for..you guessed right, financial constraints.
Let us not cross the river before we reach it, the competition from the bottom will sure be felt by the big boys.
One team that exemplifies the stiff challenge at hand is Kampala Junior Team (KJT), which is proving a nightmare for the big boys.
Their latest 2-1 triumph over Bul at Villa Park showed their resilience, telepathic ball distribution and ability to score goals.
Under the tutelage of coach Ronald Ssali, KJT players ; Nasif Kabuye, Vincent Adriko, Umar Kawuka, Eddie Billy, Abubakar Sentongo, Julius Piloti, Ashraf Zzinga, John Ssekyaaya, Nicholas Kabonge, Derrick Mubiru, Allan Sserunga and Lamech Tumwebaze have formed a force to reckon with.
The other concept of having double winners like it was for KCCA last season is smoldering fading because the three teams to watch would rather garb any of the trophies than letting one enjoy the hegemony. When the quarterfinal draws are made at a date to be communicated by Fufa, expect shivers to run down the big boys’ spine because another upset is eminent.
1971 –Coffee FC
1972-1975-Not Held
1976- Gangama FC
1977- Simba FC
1978 – Nsambya FC
1979 – KCC FC
1980 – KCC FC
1981 – Coffee FC
1982 – KCC FC
1983 – SC Villa
1984 – KCC FC
1985 – Express FC
1986 – SC Villa
1987 – KCC FC
1988 – SC Villa
1989 – SC Villa
1990 – KCC FC
1991 – Express FC
1992 – Express FC
1993 – KCC FC
1994 – Express FC
1995 – Express FC
1996 – UEB SC
1997 – Express FC
1998 – SC Villa
1999 – Mbale Heroes SC
2000 – SC Villa
2001 – Express FC
2002 – SC Villa
2003 – Express FC
2004 – KCC FC
2005 – URA FC
2006 – Express FC
2007 – Express FC
2007/8 – Victors SC
2008/9 – SC Villa
2009/10 – Victors SC
2010/11 – Simba SC
2011/12 – URA FC
2013/2013 – SCVU
2013/2014 – URA F.C
2014/15 – SC Villa
2015/16 – Vipers Sports Club
2016/17 – KCCA
