It is not a normal occurrence that two rivals share a home, especially in football.
However, on some occasions, it has been witnessed.
An example can be drawn in Italy where AC Milan and Internazionale both use the Giuseppe Meazza for home fixtures. Like that is not enough for Serie A fans, two capital sides in AS Roma and Lazio also share one venue-Stadio Olimpico.
Such a scenario is what is in line for Uganda Premier League fans as eternal rivals Express FC and SC Villa are set to share Mutessa II Stadium in Wankulukuku as their home ground for the upcoming season.
The Red Eagles have for years used the Buganda-owned stadium as their home and until they build their own home, no one expects them to move away.
For Villa, they have moved from one venue to another with Mandela National Stadium in Namboole, the one venue that they have been attached to most, in the last couple of decades.
However, the stadium is now designated as a COVID-19 treatment center, prompting the Jogoos to look elsewhere.
Through a letter addressed to the Mutessa II Stadium manager, the record UPL winners have requested for the use of Wankulukuku as their home ground for the 2020/21 season.
“As you may know, SPorts Club Villa has always been hosted at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole in Bweyogere, Wakiso. Thw stadium has been declared as a COVID-19 treatment center hence leaving us without a home ground. Read part of the letter signed by Villa’s CEO Shawn Mubiru.
“We therefore write to the management of Mutessa II Stadium applying to be hosted here for the 2020/21 season. We hope that management gives us the permission to access and host all our home games at the stadium.”
The prospect of having both Express and Villa at Wankulukuku is mouthwatering to the football neutrals as it will at least add more intensity to the rivalry between the two clubs.
However, it highlights the fact that football craves more venues and it is sad seeing traditional clubs like Villa move from one venue to another.
If the management of Wankulukuku approves of the move, it means that Wankulukuku just like StarTimes Stadium in Lugogo, will host two clubs in the next season.
KCCA FC and Police FC are the two sides expected to host their games in Lugogo, next season.
