Saturday results
Onduparaka 0-0 Express
SC Villa 0-0 Maroons
Bul 1-0 URA
Soana 0-1 Vipers
Proline 0-1 Kirinya Jinja SS
Police 0-0 Mbarara City
Masavu 1-1 UPDFF
The second round of the Uganda Premier League kicked off on Saturday with goals still at premium. Only five goals were scored across seven fixtures. Find out who promises big in the season.
Shaban Muhammad: He was involved in a club row as he wanted to force his way out of Onduparaka FC. Finally he got his deal, a Shs20m transfer to KCCA FC. He hit the ground going by scoring six goals in just four games. Having sustained an injury with the national team during the African Nations Championships where he played just once as a substitute, he must now prove that he is a top notch striker. Leading striker Hood Kawesa has already been sold by police FC and the virtual ‘golden boot’ is up for grabs. He faces competition against himself and Derrick Nsibambi who was retained at the club after a mid-season row with his manager Mike Mutebi.
Derrick Nsibambi: Nsibambi though he had arrived when he emerged top scorer with four goals in the regional Cecafa Challenge Cup. From there he was touted by many clubs. As he became a hot property, he attempted to force a move away from Lugogo. Coach Mike Mutebi vowed to punish him if his deal ever fell through. The gifted goal scorer returned to Lugogo and he swiftly apologized. Having betrayed the coach’s faith, he must now score goals to prove his commitment. Yet still, with Sebastien Desabre at the helm of the team, he must score for the Cranes at the big stage to prove that he deserves to be in his plans. He has led the line since Geoffrey Massa left the national team but he is yet to score for the senior team.
Dan ‘Mzee’ Serunkuma: He moved from Express FC to vipers with high expectations. He carried Express FC on his shoulders in the first round to attract the attention of the moneybags at St Mary’s Stadium in. He was once the best player in the Kenyan league but his attempts to play professionally in Europe always fell flat. He returned to Uganda to re-establish himself and has had a good run with Express FC. The diminutive striker was handed shirt 13 but his primary role is to score goals for the inconsistent Kitende side. He got off the mark with a winning goal on his debut yesterday against Soana FC.
Bernard Muwanga: SC Villa’s title pursuits hinge on their defenders. The Jogoos have conceded just six times as they squeezed life out of their opponents. The man at the heart of defence is their captain Martin Muwanga. His stellar performances in the league earned him the national team arm-band for the local –based players. Yes, it was not a one-man job as John Adriko and Joseph Nsubuga excelled too. But Muwanga’s peerless defending was key for the Jogoos.
Ezra Bida: Arua has never run short of good players and the next big thing is Ezra Bida. The Masaka SS striker is aggressive and has an eye for goal. If Onduparaka FC coach Livingstone Mbabazi gives him the confidence and fields him. Bida was sparingly used in the first round as Mbabazi preferred the experience of Karim Ndugwa and Caesar Okhuti but Bida always gave his best whenever he was introduced. If he get more playing time, he should be a contender for best young player of the year.
