Another transfer window, same old SC Villa?

The domestic transfer window officially opens on July 1 but clubs are already engaging their targets behind closed doors.

The ‘silly season’ as many football enthusiasts prefer to call it is one that keeps fans on tenterhooks eager to see who their clubs sign or even let go.

For record league champions SC Villa, it could be yet another window to forget if rumours flying around their camp is to be trusted.

The Jogoo, 17-time league winners have lost their best players in each of the primary window since 2023 with the club under President Omar Mandela not ready to spend big on contract renewals or bringing in new faces.

In 2023, the Blues couldn’t hold on to their captain Gift Fred and top scorer Charles Bbaale who got better deals at Young Africans (Tanzania) and Rayon Sport (Rwanda) respectively.

Villa had come within two points of claiming an elusive 17^th title which they lost on the final day of the 2022/23 season when they failed to beat URA at Mutesa II stadium, Wankulukuku.

The Villa faithful thought the club would build the side around the two players for the 2023/24 season but unfortunately, it never happened.

They went on to lift the 2023/24 crown against all odds and many then thought that the triumph would be a catalyst to build a force the Jogoos were known to be in the 80s, 90s and early 2000s.

But instead, key players led by captain Kenneth Ssemakula, Umar Lutalo and Gavin Kizito who were played a very crucial part alongside Charles Lwanga, Hakim Kiwanuka and the MVP Patrick Kakande couldn’t be kept for another season following their contract renewals.

Title winning coach Dusan Stojanovic was also let go after failing to match his terms for a new contract leaving Morley Byekwaso in charge as the Jogoos aimed to defend their title.

But the title defence miserably failed with Villa finishing 6^th, 24 points adrift of the winners Vipers and during the same campaign, Kiwanuka who was a key part of the Jogoos attack left in January.

The transfer business at Villa is a total opposite of what used to happen at Villa Park back then when they dominated the game and also reached two continental finals in the early 90s.

Mandela, one of the big spenders then as part of the administration has since appeared to change strategy since his return from self-exile from football after his temporary departure in 2004.

According to those close to him, he believes the club can survive and compete even without spending large sums of money on players and it explains there are no big players joining the club or those that demand beyond what he offers to sign new contracts beyond his wish are freely let to leave.

The trend may continue with skipper Ronald Ssekiganda already confirmed out while their most important player Patrick Kakande is also reportedly out at Villa Park as well as Charles Lwanga, the club’s top scorer this season could also leave.

The new strategy has been welcomed by a few Villa faithful but many are against it believing Villa must spend like it used to do when they won trophies every season.

It is another window and probably the same SC Villa!!

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