Uganda’s most successfull Club SC Villa is finally back to winning ways of the Premier League title after a 20-year wait.

Under the guidance of Serbian coach Dusan Stojanovic, SC Villa stopped NEC FC 2-0 in a crucial match to clinch the 2023/2024 Uganda Premier League title on Saturday at the MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.

After a tense goalless first half which kept the SC Villa fans on their toes, the blues finally got two goals through Charles Lwanga and Hakim Kiwanuka in the second half. The win ensured SC Villa finished with 57 points to win their record 17th League title.

Another Serbian Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic who also won several trophies with SC Villa several years ago was also in the Stadium to witness history being made.

” I thank all the players for the hard work through out the season that has enabled us win the title. I also thank all members of the technical staff and management, ” said a happy SC Villa coach Stojanovic.

Bidco FC who also beat Busoga FC 3-0 in their last match finished second with 56 points, while Vipers SC who brushed aside Mbarara United 4-1 finished third also with 56 points.

Kenneth Ssemakula, the SC Villa captain thanked all his teammates for giving their best through out the season. ” We need to continue to work hard to be able to win more trophies,” added the happy captain.

SC Villa will now represent Uganda in the 2024 CECAFA Kagame Cup to take place in Tanzania in July and later the 2024/2025 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

Newly appointed Vipers SC head coach, Leonard Martins Neiva has said he is happy and excited upon joining the Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC.

“I am very happy that I now start a new challenge. I like challenges and I am here to try and win trophies with Vipers SC, ” said the 45-year old coach.

Neiva who signed a two year contract was unveiled on Thursday at the St. Marys Stadium, home of Vipers SC in Kitende, Mpigi. He takes over from Alex Isabirye who resigned last week after guiding Vipers SC to winning the Uganda Premier League title and the Uganda Cup.

The new coach who has handled teams in North America, the Caribbean, South East Asia and Africa said he is excited to be joining Vipers SC. ” Hard work will start immediately,” said the Brazilian.

Neiva who started his coaching as an assistant coach at America CF in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2007, also handled Rakhine United between 2011-2012 in the Myanmar National League.

He coached Tanzania’s Young Africans SC in 2014 and won the 2014/2015 Tanzanian Super Cup and the 2014/15 Premier League, but later left to join Jamaican side Montego Bay United and helped them win the national championship in 2016. Neiva also handled the national teams of Saint Kitts and Nevis and later joined Sudan’s El Merreikh in 2021.

Neiva is the third Brazilian coach to handle Vipers SC in their history after Beto Bianchi Pellister and Roberto Oliviera who guided them to the group stage of the 2022/2023 CAF Champions League group stage.

Other Uganda Premier League teams KCCA FC and SC Villa have signed foreign professional Sergio Daniel Moniz Traguil from Portugal and Serbia’s Dusan Stojanovic respectively ahead of the new season expected to kick off next month.

_{Talk about the last moments in sport and Vipers SC did exactly that when they won their last match on Saturday to retain the Uganda Premier League title.}

_{Going into the last matches of the League sponsored by StarTimes, Vipers SC needed to win their match and hope that SC Villa fail to pick a win against URA FC.}

_{After the final 90 minutes it was all smiles for Vipers SC at their St. Marys Stadium after humbling Busoga United FC 5-0, while SC Villa suffered a 1-0 defeat to URA at the Wankulukuku Stadium.}

_{Abdul Lawal netted a brace, while Yunus Sentamu, Bright Anukani and Martin Kizza scored a goal each to ensure the Venoms picked maximum points that saw them lift the title with 53 points and a better goal difference than KCCA FC who also had same points after defeating Soltilo Bright Stars 5-0.}

_{“I am so happy that after joining Vipers SC in the middle of the second round we have worked hard and managed to lift the trophy. Now we need to remain focused and work hard to win the Uganda Cup as well,” said Vipers SC coach Alex Isabirye.}

_{Milton Karisa, the Vipers SC captain said although it was a very competitive season, it was a great feeling retaining the trophy.}

_{Vipers SC who reached the group stage of the 2022/2023 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League will have another opportunity to improve in Africa’s biggest Club competition in the new 2023/2024 season.}

_{Reigning champions Vipers Sports Club have sent a strong message of intent with a big 5-2 win against Express FC as the 2022/2023 StarTimes Uganda Premier League enters the crucial stage.}

_{Vipers who reached the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League were in good scoring mood at their St. Marys Stadium on Tuesday.}

_{Bright Anukani netted a penalty after 15 minutes, before Yunus Sentamu made it 2-0 two minutes later. But Joseph Akandwanabo pulled one back for the Red Eagles. Skipper Milton Karisa also got on the score sheet to send Vipers SC to a comfortable 3-1 half time lead.}

_{After the interval Marvin Oshaba scored the second goal for Express, but Vipers SC substitute Cromwel Rwothomio netted a brace. “I am happy that my players reacted well today and scored may goals. We need to keep the momentum even in the remaining two matches,” said Vipers SC coach Alex Isabirye.}

_{The win saw Vipers SC remain top with 49 points, while KCCA FC who also stopped Bidco FC 1-0, and SC Villa who picked a 2-0 away win against UPDF FC also have 49 points going into the lead two matches for each team.}

_{Vipers SC lead the log with a better goal advantage of 22, while KCCA FC have 16 and SC Villa only 7 goals.}

_{In the other matches played on Tueday Maroons FC beat Onduparaka FC 1-0 who are bottowm of the log. Black Powers Fc who are second from the bottom of the log also registered a 3-2 win against Gaddafi FC, while Arua Hill FC suffered a 4-1 defeat to visiting Busoga United FC, Wakiso Giants FC defeated Bright Stars FC 2-0 at the  Kabaka Kyabaggu.}