SC Villa coach asks fans for patience as 2026/27 project takes shape

SC Villa finished third in the 2025 Uganda Premier League with 61 points from 30 matches, recording 18 wins, seven draws and five defeats. Coach Zeljko Kovacevic has asked supporters to give the club time as it develops a new project ahead of the 2026/27 season.

The Serbian made the appeal during a supporters’ meeting at the club’s home, East High School in Kulambiro, on Sunday. He praised the backing around the team and said the size and unity of the Villa support base had made a strong impression on him.

Kovacevic said the club’s reliance on young players meant progress would not come immediately. He called for continued support, patience and confidence while the new group is built, presenting the process as a joint effort between the team and its fans.

Villa have lost several important players during the current transfer period. Diego Misi Ssemugera, Charles Lwanga, Elvis Ngonde, goalkeepers Jean Brady Wokorach and Norman Agunfindru, right-back Frank Mulimi and midfielder Ali Bayo have departed. The club has also had to deal with the death of captain David Owori.

The replacements have largely been young players with limited top-flight experience. John Asiimwe and Hassan Matovu are the only new signings identified as having previously played in the Premier League, leaving Kovacevic with a less experienced squad for the next phase of the project.

His first season brought the Fufa Super 8 title and a place in the Stanbic Uganda Cup final, where Villa lost to Kitara at the Fufa Technical Centre in Njeru. They will not defend the Super 8 crown after NEC eliminated them in the final, with experience and maturity proving decisive in that fixture.

Villa’s listed recent league form was three wins, one draw and one defeat: victories over UPDF, NEC and Mbarara City, a goalless draw with BUL, and a 2-0 loss away to Kitara. Their 47 goals and 17 conceded across the campaign underlined a strong defensive record, although the squad changes now give Kovacevic a rebuilding task.