Kovacevic, Bbosa target squad building in Fufa Super 8 play-off

SC Villa and Kitara will use Tuesday’s Fufa Super 8 third-place play-off to assess their squads before the 2026/27 season. The coaches, Zeljko Kovacevic and Wasswa Bbosa, see the fixture as an opportunity to strengthen their teams after missing out on the final.

Villa, who won the competition in 2025, were beaten 3-1 by NEC in the semi-finals. Kitara’s campaign ended against KCCA after conceding an early goal, leaving both sides to compete for third place rather than the title.

Kovacevic is expected to make changes as he reviews players who did not feature in Villa’s opening two matches. The SC Villa coach wants those players to complete a full game and show whether they can challenge for places in the starting XI during the new season.

Hassan Matovu could make his Villa debut in goal after joining the club, with David Lukwago potentially moving to the bench. Raymond Barasa Mangoli, Aslam Ssemakula and Isaac Gumperom are also among the players in line to start.

For Kitara, the match forms part of Bbosa’s preparations for the season ahead. The coach intends to use the game to improve the organisation of his side before Kitara’s official campaign begins with a Fufa Super Cup meeting against league champions Vipers on Saturday, August 22.

The third-place match gives both coaches another competitive test while they decide which players are ready for greater responsibility. The Fufa Super 8 final will follow later on Tuesday at 7pm, with KCCA facing NEC as both clubs pursue their first trophy of the season.