Uganda Premier League: SC Villa rise to third; Calvary stun Kitara with gritty draw

SC Villa boosted their title ambitions with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Lugazi, while relegation-threatened Calvary delivered a major twist in the race by holding Kitara to a goalless draw in Hoima on Wednesday as Matchday 24 of the Startimes Uganda Premier League climaxed.

A solitary strike from Frank Ssebufu proved sufficient as SC Villa defeated Lugazi FC 1-0 in the Startimes Uganda Premier League.

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At Najjembe, Frank Ssebuufu proved the difference maker with a lightning-fast opener that ultimately secured all three points for the visitors. The striker struck just under two minutes into the game, reacting quickest after a foul on David Owori was waved on, and cleverly finishing past Allan Batali Igama to register his ninth league goal of the season.

Ssebuufu remained a constant threat throughout the first half and nearly doubled his tally around the half-hour mark, only to be denied by a sharp save from Igama.

Villa continued to press, but Aslam Ssemakula squandered a clear chance before the break, while goalkeeper David Lukwago stood tall at the other end to keep Lugazi at bay heading into halftime.

After the restart, SC Villa showed maturity and discipline, tightening their shape and limiting Lugazi’s attacking opportunities.

Despite a quieter second half in terms of chances, Villa managed the game effectively to preserve their slender lead and secure maximum points.

The win sees SC Villa climb to third place with 48 points, keeping them within touching distance of the summit and firmly in the title conversation.

Meanwhile in Hoima, Kitara’s title hopes suffered a setback after they were frustratingly held to a 0-0 draw by bottom-placed Calvary.

The visitors, battling relegation, produced a resilient performance to deny Kitara in front of their home fans, earning a valuable point in their survival fight while dealing a blow to the hosts’ ambitions.

The contrasting results leave Kitara ruing a missed opportunity in the title race, while Calvary walk away with renewed belief as the season heads into its decisive final stretch.

Next up, SC Villa will return home to face Buhimba, while Lugazi host Kitara in what promises to be another crucial round of fixtures.