)
The first leg of this fixture came when KCCA were the team on form, but that 3-0 victory registered back then is now a distant memory.
KCCA might have dominated the last few meetings against Sc Villa, but they go into Sunday's Startimes Uganda Premier League as underdogs.
Whereas Villa lost their last game 1-0 to Arua Hill, they had gone nine games without testing defeat before that to ascend to the top of the log on 43 points, five ahead of their hosts.
)
16:39 - 19.04.2023
SUPL Villa's title hopes dented as Arua Hill inflict first defeat in 11 games
With title rivals KCCA FC losing to URA FC in the earlier game, and with Vipers still having four games in hand over them, the Jogoo knew there was little margin for error.
That Villa loss came just hours after KCCA had failed to win in four straight league games, a 2-0 loss to URA only emphasizing the tough times at Lugogo.
Draws with Maroon, Blacks Power and UPDF left former coach Morley Byekwaso exposed and under intense pressure.
And once the team fell to Soltilo Bright Stars 1-0 in the Stanbic Uganda Cup quarter-final, there was nowhere to hide for Byekwaso, who threw in the towel before the media.
If Byekwaso's departure was supposed to change the team's fortunes for the better, there was no indication of the same in the loss to URA.
14:16 - 19.04.2023
UPL KCCA start post-Byekwaso era with defeat at URA
Defender Mujuzi lost possession deep in the URA half, and Ssenjobe was put through on goal by Ssemujju to score and give the visitors the lead in the 72nd minute.
The team struggled to play with a clear structure, and when the tax collectors asked questions in attack, there was no stopping them.
Eric Ssenjobe and Alfred Leku scored for URA to further highlight KCCA's defensive inadequacies.
And the man in charge of that game, Badru Kaddu, was among those shown the exit by the club and former player and coach Jackson Mayanja was announced to take over for the rest of the season.
Mayanja's first game in charge could not have been bigger. Villa are playing with confidence and are a tough team to break down.
Not that a KCCA side with creative players like Allan Okello and Moses Waiswa is supposed to worry about creating chances, but these names have laboured to make any impact this season.
The pressure will be on the hosts, playing in front of a crowd that has withdrawn its backing in the last few games of Byekwaso's era.
Whether Mayanja will instil any confidence in the team against a Villa side that knows KCCA are there for the taking remains to be seen.
)
22:31 - 19.04.2023
FOOTBALL Mia Mia back at Lugogo to steady the ship
Mayanja replaces former teammate Morley Byekwaso who resigned from his position on Sunday after KCCA FC were eliminated from the Stanbic Uganda Cup following a 1-0 loss to Soltilo Bright Stars in the quarter-finals at the Kavumba Recreation grounds.
With eight games left on KCCA's menu, time is running out, and anything short of victory on Sunday will be a big dent in the title chase.
The first leg of this fixture came when KCCA were the team on form, but that 3-0 victory registered back then is now a distant memory.
Villa head coach Jackson Magera was part of Mike Mutebi's coaching team when KCCA were unplayable at Lugogo but is now in charge of Villa's title chase.
The tactician will be looking to bounce back from that loss to Arua Hill, and going by KCCA's recent form, Villa might not necessarily require a miracle to get a result and cement their place at the summit.
Startimes Uganda Premier League
Sunday fixture
KCCA vs. Villa -4pm, Lugogo
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)