SC Villa’s Quest to Rediscover Cecafa Glory

SC Villa, under the leadership of coach Dusan Stojanovic, is striving to reclaim its historic dominance in East African football, particularly in the Cecafa region. The club, which last tasted Cecafa Club Championship success 19 years ago, has embarked on a journey to recapture the glory days that saw them emerge as champions under various iconic coaches.

The current Villa squad, unlike the formidable teams of the past, faced a challenging season despite clinching the 2023/24 championship after two decades. The team’s style under Stojanovic aims to instill a winning mentality reminiscent of past legends like Majid Musisi and Ronald Vvubya, who were revered for their unmatched skills and leadership.

Despite losing key players such as captain Kenneth Semakula and playmaker Umar Lutalo, Stojanovic remains optimistic, drawing inspiration from their unexpected league triumph. The upcoming Cecafa tournament presents a pivotal opportunity for Stojanovic to experiment with new strategies, including deploying league MVP Jonah Kakande in pivotal roles.

While acknowledging the formidable competition, including Rwanda’s APR FC, Stojanovic emphasizes Villa’s potential as a competitive force. Assisted by Morley Byekwaso, a former Cecafa champion, and talented midfielder Hakim Magumba, Stojanovic aims to harness the team’s latent winning spirit.

As SC Villa prepares for the Cecafa challenge, the spotlight is on Kakande and his teammates to evoke the legendary winning character that defined Villa’s historic triumphs. The tournament serves not only as a test of their capabilities but also as a chance to reignite the club’s legacy as a dominant force in East African football.