SC Villa will be without three key players as they face BUL FC today in the round of 32 of the Uganda Cup at FUFA Stadium Kadiba.
The Jogoos are missing forward Charles Lwanga and defender Simon Semayange through injury, while goalkeeper Jeans Braddy Wokorach is suspended.
Speaking ahead of the fixture, goalkeeper Norman Angufindri said:
The coaches have prepared us well for the game. Every department is ready to fight for a place in the next round. We know BUL FC is not an easy team, but we are at home and we will do everything possible to secure the win.
SC Villa reached this stage after beating Pallisa Hospital 2-1 thanks to goals from David Owori and Aslam Semakula.
Villa has won this competition nine times, only KCCA and Express have won more with 10. But the Jogoos last won the Uganda Cup back in 2014/15, beating KCCA 3-0 in a replay at Namboole.
For BUL FC, head coach Alex Isabirye says Martin Aprem will miss the match while Nicholas Mwere and Walter Ochora will undergo late fitness tests.
The SC Villa–BUL matchup reopens old wounds from last year, when FUFA ordered a replay of a controversial 2023 tie.
BUL had originally beaten Villa 1-0 at Njeru, but a late equaliser by Charles Bbaale was ruled out for offside.
FUFA’s Disciplinary Panel later ruled that assistant referee Khalid Muyaga’s decision to disallow Bbaale’s goal was incorrect. In the replay at Njeru, Ibrahim Nsimbe scored the only goal to send BUL through to the round of 16.
SC Villa will also be seeking revenge after losing 2–1 to BUL earlier this season in the League at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.
BUL beat Vipers 3-1 to win this title in 2022, under current coach Alex Isabirye