SC Villa booked their place in the FUFA Super 8 final after eliminating holders BUL in a tense semifinal played at the MTN-Omondi Stadium on Sunday.
The Jogoos triumphed 5-4 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 in regulation time.
BUL took an early lead in the fourth minute when Villa defender Arnold Odong deflected Hillary Onek’s cross into his own net.
Villa fought back and equalized in the 75th minute when Najib Yiga’s free kick was deflected into the net by Sowedi Luwenda.
In the shootout, goalkeeper David Lukwago turned out as Villa’s hero, saving penalties from Ibrahim Mugulusi and Bakali Magunda. Only Frank Mulimi failed to convert for Villa, firing wide.
The result means Villa will now face NEC in Wednesday’s final at FUFA-Kadiba Stadium, while BUL will play URA in the third-place playoff.
Notably, the finalists are two of the four teams currently opposing the new Uganda Premier League format.
Elsewhere, KCCA’s troubles deepened after suffering a 2-0 home defeat to Maroons in the 5th/6th placement match.
Goals from substitutes Jackson Nunda and Baden Mujaheed Ogama late in the second half punished the Lugogo side, who had already fallen out of contention for the main trophy after losing to Villa in the quarterfinals.
Nunda headed in Brian Nkuubi’s free kick in the 83rd minute before Ogama capitalized on a mix-up between goalkeeper Charles Lukwago and defender Enock Walusimbi six minutes later.
The result means Maroons will contest for fifth place against Express, while KCCA, led by Brian Ssenyondo and Jackson Magera, are left to play Kitara for seventh placement.
For the Lugogo faithful, early exits and poor placement have raised concerns about the team’s readiness for the coming league season.
