SC Villa will not be battling for the title but don’t rule them out yet.

The 16 time Uganda Premier League champions had a failed election exercise to elect club President early this month. Court stopped the elections from going ahead after one of the parties cried foul.

The election was intensely contested by Denis Ssebugwawo Mbidde and Busiro County East member of Parliament Medard Ssegona.

However, the failed election or rather the court battle has not stopped the club from continuing with plans to fine tune the team for the season which sets off next month.

The Jogoos confirmed a new venue in FUFA Technical Centre at Njeru where they will be hosting their matches and replaced Edward Kaziba with Greek, Petros Koukouras who is assisted by Jackson Magera and Richard Amatre.

The club confirmed at the unveiling of Koukouras that the Greek signed a three year contract to keep him till the end of the 2023/2024. While his assistants Jackson Magera and Amatre signed two and three years respectively.

The club’s assistants promised to work to get the club to where it belongs at their unveiling.

Magera said: “My name is Jackson Magera as you have already heard. I don’t have a lot to say, I just can’t wait to work with everyone at SC Villa.”

Amatre hailed: “Good morning members of the media, I am Amatre Richard. I welcome you all here and I ask you all that we work together. I know there are always criticisms but let them be positive criticisms.”

The club have not stopped at just changing a venue and naming a new coach but also gone ahead to beef the team with new faces. They are quite a number as announced on the club website.

New arrivals

The club has shipped in Kenneth Semakula who joined in from BUL FC, Isma Mugulusi from Busoga United, Fred Gift from Booma FC, Ali Bayo from Edgars FC, Charles Bbaale from KJT, Oscar Mawa from KCCA JT, Idd Abdulwahid from Arua Hill JT, Travis Mutyaba from Vipers JT, Joseph Kafumbe from KCCA, Umar Lutalo from Aspire Academy, Marvin Kavuma from NEC FC and Joseph Yiga from Tooro United.

The club appear to have so much hope in youthful Travis Mutyaba from Vipers SC junior team. On his arrival the club posted: “Travis Mutyaba, ladies and gentlemen. UPL is not ready for the magician.”

Departures

Saidi Keni, club captain Asuman Harisheh, Derrick Ndahiro, Geofrey Wasswa, Emmanuel Wasswa, Faizah Muwawu and Fahad Bardiro have followed their head coach Kaziba out of the club.

Paul Kalisa a Personal health coach confirmed the club has been undergoing intensive training at Ultimate Fitness Kampala Gym ahead of the eagerly awaited season.

Kalisa shared: “SC Villa 32 players and their coaches, all getting ready for the season with strength training. Ultimate Fitness Kampala making sure that these players are getting the best. It’s a great feeling to see them again.”

Goalkeepers

Martin Ssenkooto, Meddie Kibirige, Joseph Yiga

Defenders

Gavin Kizito, Kenneth Semakula, Fred Gift, Moses Kiggundu, Kato Sulaiman Ssewanyana, Joseph Nsubuga, Fred Agandu, Ronani Gasikire, Joseph Kafumbe, Umar Lutalo

Midfielders

Amir Kakomo, Ronald Ssekiganda, Ali Bayo, Abudallah Ssekandi, Abdallah Salim, Isma Mugulusi, Derrick Ssekiranda, Travis Mutyaba, Marvin Kavuma

Forwards

Mohammedi Nsereko, Muhamed Kagawa Ssenoga, Allan Nyanzi, Sadam Masereka, Ronald Olaki, Benson Muhindo, Goffin Oyirwoth, Nicholas Kabonge, Oscar Mawa, Iddi Abdulwahid, Charles Bbaale, Isaac Ogwang, Faizo Kazibwe.

Technical Team

Petros Koukouras (Head Coach), Jackson Kaddu Magera (1st Assistant Coach), Richard Amatre (2nd Assistant Coach), Mubarak Kiberu (Goalkeeping Coach), Phillip Ssozi (Junior Team Head Coach), Emmanuel Nakabago (Team Doctor), Michael Gumisiriza (Assistant Team Doctor).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jnZCwFdIXI