The reigning StarTimes Uganda Premier League champions SC Villa, are gearing up and ready to represent Uganda at the upcoming CECAFA Kagame Cup tournament in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
While talking to NBS Sport, the club’s spokesperson, AIGP(Rtd) Asan Kasingye expressed the team’s readiness for the regional and continental competitions.
“We are preparing our team to play in the CECAFA Championship in Dar-es-Salaam starting on the 6th,” he said.
He also emphasised that the players are in good shape and ready for the challenge saying, “We are preparing the team. They are right now in the camp, training and preparing for CECAFA so there’s no problem.”
SC Villa is the sole Ugandan team among the 12 clubs set to compete in this year’s edition of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Kagame Cup, which will be held from July 9th-21st.
Other teams are Coastal Union FC and Singida Black Stars FC from Tanzania, Al Hilal and Al Wadi FC from Sudan, Gor Mahia from Kenya, Djibouti Telkom FC from Djibouti, Dekedaha FC from Somalia, APR FC from Rwanda, JKU SC from Zanzibar and El Merriekh Bentiu from South Sudan.
The draw for the tournament will be conducted today July 3rd, 2024 at 12pm in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Kasingye also revealed that the club is gearing up for their participation in the prestigious CAF Champions League, having qualified automatically by winning the StarTimes Uganda Premier League title.
“We are also going to participate in the Champions league of Africa (CAF Champions League) tournament and we also preparing to play in the next season,” he said, adding that the club is aiming to strengthen the team for the upcoming season.
The spokesperson also addressed the recent player exits, stating that the club’s captain Kenneth and Gavin Kizito, stating that the former left due to the expiration of his contract and the pursuit of a new challenge.
“It is true, we have 2 players that have left us, the Captain and Garvin. The Captain decided to go just because the contract is over and he has a new challenge that takes him to another level.”
“We are together with him in trying to make sure he achieves that, he has done a lot for the club and we wish him the best. We have parted company in a very amicable way.” He added.
Kasingye confirmed that Gavin Kizito was released due to disciplinary issues stating, “We emphasize discipline so much so if a player has been talked to but for one reason or another falls short, he has to leave.”
Kasingye also called upon the Villa fans to maintain discipline, emphasizing that the club’s commitment to professionalism extends beyond the players.
“Our discipline is not only in players, we demanded a lot of discipline from fans.” Kasingye concluded.
