"A top, difficult side' - Isabirye issues SC Villa warning

BUL FC coach Alex Isabirye | Courtesy photo

Uganda Cup "A top, difficult side' - Isabirye issues SC Villa warning

Shafic Kiyaga 16:38 - 16.02.2023

This will be a repeat of last year's quarterfinal which BUL won 2-1 after extra time en route to winning the Stanbic Uganda Cup.

Alex Isabirye knows enough about winning the Stanbic Uganda Cup and the history between his side BUL FC and SC Villa.

At the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru, BUL’s can take a crucial step towards retaining their title when they play Jackson Magera’s SC Villa on Friday.

The two are familiar opponents, facing each other regularly in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League. but BUL have always got the better of the Jogoo recently, winning six of their last 10 league meetings.

But Isabirye has warned that the Jogoo is a completely different but hard to beat side this season, and that his players must be ready for a proper fight at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.

“They (Villa) are very dangerous because I know for sure coach Magera has been working the team really, really hard.”

“Since he took over he has absolutely maximized the potential of that team and took the team to a different level.

"They have had an incredible season, so strong in all departments; a top side, difficult to beat and possess a lot of threat that we must not take lightly.

This will be a repeat of last year's quarterfinal which BUL won 2-1 after extra time en route to winning the Stanbic Uganda Cup.

“They are a historical club in Uganda and this very tournament because they are one of the teams that have won it the most times.”

“We respect them but we are ready to battle them and we have trained for a couple of days now with all our minds focused on tomorrow's game,”

On the other hand, Magera noted that his charges are ready although he expects it to be a tough game.

“They are the defending champions that is enough to make it a tough game but it is also motivation because if you win such tournaments you have to beat the best teams.”

Isabirye has confirmed that they will be without midfielder Jerome Kirya and goalkeeper Emmanuel Kalyowa who continues to be sidelined with injury.