Stanbic Uganda Cup Final

Vipers SC vs KCCA FC

Emokori Grounds, Bukedea

Saturday, 4pm

By Denis West

If you thought it is the Vipers-SC Villa rivalry that is rapidly scaling heights think again.

There is a silent battle between KCCA and Vipers brewing up everyday and its climax will be witnessed this Saturday when the two teams square off in the Uganda Cup final in Bukedea.

The muted war hit second gear when Vipers owner Lawrence Mulindwa showed how bottomless his wallet was by procuring midfielder Tom Masiko from nemesis KCCA in July.The battle lines had been drawn. When both sides clashed in the league, each won at home but the match at St Mary’s Kitende added another ingredient in the rivalry – the style of play.

Whilst losing 3-2 in the title shaping tie at Kitende, KCCA manager withdrew deft playmaker Allan Okello because he was being ‘hacked’ by Tadeo Lwanga. On Thursday at the last press conference, Mutebi revived the talk at Fufa House Mengo.

“We are hoping to see a final where the beauty (KCCA) will play against the beast (Vipers).

“We want to win the final and the players know they have to play for the shirt. These are arguably the best teams in the land and people should expect a mouth watering final,” he revealed.

Expect it tough – Da Costa

“KCCA and Vipers are good teams that’s why both reached the final,” said eccentric Vipers coach Miguel Da Costa.

He continued; “So if the two games that happened between us, the two teams scored eight or nine goals in the past two matches and you are asking if I will be defensive, it is not a real question.”

“That is a question to make noise but if you want to make noise at this point don’t count on me I’m not here to make any more noise now the important thing is to speak about football and the final.

To give a very good image of Ugandan football that is at this point nobody has doubts that it is growing,” the Portuguese, who recently hinted at quiting after clinching the league title, stressed.

Pride and sponsors at stake

Both clubs have more than three sponsors each and for KCCA, bankrolled by MTN, StarTimes and Prime Media, ending the season empty handed would call for tension.

KCCA wouldn’t want to relinquish their bragging rights of winning the double last season yet Vipers, for all the money Mulindwa has sank in and investment by sponsors Roofings, Hima Cement and DFCU bank, winning the double would be the ultimate reward.

What joy would it be for the venoms to win a double in the maiden season they have had their new swank home – St Mary’s Stadium!

KCCA has history, Vipers haver the key players

The yellow boys have won the Uganda Cup tourney on nine occasions yet Vipers only triumphed once – in 2016.Truth be told, Vipers have more consistent and in-form stars like Dan Sserunkuma, Lwanga, Milton Karisa and Erisa Ssekisambu to bank on that KCCA that will miss injured Muzamir Mutyaba and Derrick Nsibambi who they sold in Egypt this week.

Uganda Cup winners since 1971

1971 –Coffee

1972-1975-Tezaliyo

1976– Gangama

1977– Simba

1978 – Nsambya

1979 – KCC

1980 – KCC

1981 – Coffee

1982 – KCC

1983 – SC Villa

1984 – KCC

1985 – Express

1986 – SC Villa

1987 – KCC

1988 – SC Villa

1989 – SC Villa

1990 – KCC

1991 – Express

1992 – Express

1993 – KCC

1994 – Express

1995 – Express

1996 – UEB

1997 – Express

1998 – SC Villa

1999 – Mbale Heroes

2000 – SC Villa

2001 – Express

2002 – SC Villa

2003 – Express

2004 – KCC

2005 – URA

2006 – Express

2007 – Express

2007/8 – Victors

2008/9 – SC Villa

2009/10 – Victors

2010/11 – Simba

2011/12 – URA

2013/2013 – SCVU

2013/2014 – URA

2014/2015 – SC Villa

2015/2016 – Vipers

2016/2017 – KCCA