Continental football is around the corner, but where Ugandan representatives SC Villa and Kitara will host their games, has been a major concern.
But, with a week to go before both sides enter the fray in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, respectively, the host stadium for each team has become public knowledge.
However, the latest development regarding Villa is surprising in comparison to that of last week in relation to Kitara.
Last week, the Royals were told that Mandela National Stadium, Namboole was not available for use, at least, until the Uganda Cranes host Congo Brazzaville in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
“As you are aware, Mandela National Stadium(MNS) is currently undergoing renovation and upgrade,” a statement issued by the stadium management responded to Kitara.
“The works are at a critical stage in preparation for hosting the AFCON Qualifier matches in September 2024.”
“Further to note, the pitches were heavily impacted by the just concluded 2024 Rugby Africa Cup and the Contractor has started maintenance works to restore the pitches.”
“We therefore regret that MNS shall not host your event. We thank you for considering MNS for business and look forward to hosting you in the future,” the statement concluded.
The Hoima-based side’s request to host from Vipers’ St.Mary’s Stadium, Kitende was also not granted with the Venoms noting that “due to existence of earlier scheduled events that cannot be adjusted at short notice the stadium is not available.”
Kitara were left without options, but make a decision of hosting the first leg of the first preliminary round of the Confederation Cup against Al Hilal SC, Benghazi, at the latter’s stadium in Libya and literally giving them the home advantage in both games.
A week later, Namboole has been declared ready to host Villa’s game against Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) in the first leg of the first round of the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.
Villa will welcome the Ethiopians on Saturday, August 17, a day after Kitara’s game against Al Hilal in Libya on Friday, August 16.
One would wonder if it the congested schedule of both games played a role in this but the communication from the management suggests otherwise.
To qualify for this year’s Champions League and Confederation Cup, Villa and Kitara won the Uganda Premier League and Stanbic Uganda Cup, respectively.
Brian Ssenyondo’s charges will be playing on the continent for the first time while Morley Byekwaso’s team returns to the Champions League since 2005.
