Those who watched him play regard him as the best holding midfielder ever. He was stylish and had an eye for the short and long passes. Born on 23rd/March/1960 to Tolofina Nazziwa and Yusuf Ssendagala of Jinja Karoli, Maganjo – Wakiso district, fans nicknamed him latest for his abilities on the field.
The diminutive star never had set tactics but always made opponents look foolish with his dummies. His was a football family and his siblings George Ssendagala (RIP) and Eria Ssewanyana (RIP) played for Nsambya FC and Bank Of Uganda FC, Brian Masembe also featured for Bank Of Uganda
while Ssempiira Isaac also played for Bank Of Uganda FC.
SCHOOL CAREER: Nkata began his soccer career at Jinja Karoli Primary School and later at Kololo SS where he played as a sweeper in 1977.
CLUB CAREER: Paul Nkata played for only four clubs in his entire career. Nsambya FC, Bunamwaya SC, Express FC and SC.Villa where he ended his career.
AT NSAMBYA FC: In 1978, he joined Nsambya FC while a student at Kololo SS. It was more of a family affair at the club as brothers George Ssendagala and Eria Ssewanyana were also at the club. However, his small stature meant it took time before he was fully accepted. He failed to command a starting berth and always came off the bench. Tired of warming the bench, Nkata crossed to Bunamwaya SC a second division side then but in one of the matches against KCC FC where Bunamwaya lost 14-0 but a certain Nkata and Kirundu were impressive in midfield and this attracted the big sides who planned snatch the duo.
DRAMATIC TRANSFER TO EXPRESS FC: In 1982, Express FC signed midfielder Kirunda but when he arrived at Wembley training ground, the panicky Kirunda requested to be joined by Paul Nkata at the club. In 1982, Express FC Manager Ashe Mukasa signed Nkata. His arrival immediately saw him impress in an anchor man role relating well with attacking midfielders Omba Simon and Mugerwa Simon, wide men Jimmy Muguwa and Fred Mukasa plus lethal front man Ssekatawa Issa.
In 1984, his exploits were recognised by USPA who voted him the Footballer of the Year. He also helped Express FC to win the Uganda Cup after beating KCC FC 3-1. The Red eagles just missed winning the league and Cup double by a whisker.
ONE YEAR FUFA BAN: In January 1986, Paul Nkata wanted to cross to Kenyan side Volcano FC that was Coached by David Otti but under some controversy, FUFA denied him the International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and went on to slap a one year ban on him. However, the ban was lifted in April so that the midfielder could take part in Cranes friendly games and the Express ban also lifted. In 1988, he was appointed Express FC skipper replacing Fred Mukasa who had joined Coffee FC.
BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER: In 1989, Express FC was playing Bank Of Uganda and leading 2-1 in that second round fixture. In search for an equaliser, Nkata’s brother Masembe Benon created havoc for Express FC right back Nyola Godfrey, in one of the raids, Nyola went for a tackle that broke Masembe’s leg. Nkata failed to control emotions as he walked off the pitch to accompany his brother to Mulago Hospital where he recieved treatment.
DRAMATIC TRANSFER TO SC.VILLA:
In 1991, Nkata and Matovu jointly wrote a letter to Express FC management announcing their retirement from the beautiful game to join “meaningful careers” away from football. The management smelt a rat and blocked their departures citing that the duo was joining Villa and KCC FC respectively and not quitting the beautiful game like they assert. The two refused to play for the club for six months and the management resolved to let the duo move on. In the end, as projected, Nkata and Matovu joined Villa and KCC respectively.
SC.VILLA CAREER:
He improved Villa’s midfield and guided the Jogoos to the finals of CAF Champions league in 1991 and then CAF Cup in 1992. He was also instrumental in Villa’s league title winning sides of 1992 and 1994. Nkata formally quit football in 1995 at the age of 35. He had a brief stint working in Japan as a “kuba kyeyo” before returning to rejoin the game as a Coach.
UGANDA CRANES CAREER:
Nkata got his first call up on the national team in 1982 under Coach Bidandi Ssali but failed to dispose the experienced trio of Fred Mugisha, Ndaula Moses and Mathew Lucha and was eventually dropped. The following year, he was part of the CECAFA squad to Kenya. In 1984, he had become a Cranes regular in the anchorman role. His best moment on the team came in 1987 against the indomitable lions of Cameroon. He along side John Mapera in midfield combined well with Phillip Omondi upfront, Bogere Steven and Sunday Mokiri on the left to torment the west African side despite losing 4-6 on aggregate.
In 1989, he got injured in Uganda’s second game of the CECAFA tournament in Kenya but the Cranes won the title and got the medal. He was also part of the side that retained the crown in 1990. Another enterprising moment in his cranes career came in 1990 when he was voted man of the match in the 2-1 win over Zaire. He retired from international football in 1991.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT HIM:
The Observer’s veteran scribe Hassan Badru Zziwa says that Nkata made football look easy. “He never played football the hard way, what he lacked in size, he possesed in the brain”.
Dr. Noah, a reknowed Villa fan says that Nkata was simply the best anchorman of his time. “Most people think defensive midfielders have to be rough and hard tacklers, Nkata was simply the opposite. Calm, intelligent and composed”, the doctor said. While watching Villa lose 2-0 to Bunamwaya SC in Buikwe, an angry Villa fan shouted at the Villa technical bench instructing Nkata to mould players of his style who would attract spectators to the stadium.
COACHING CAREER: Paul Nkata was appointed the Coach of Villa youth side Jogoo Young in 2001. While at Jogoo Young, the soft spoken “Teacher” as players he has handled refer to him, he recruited, nurtured and brought on board players such as current Villa skipper Bengo Steven (arguably the best player in the league at the moment), URA FC’s Oscar Agaba, Vietnam’s based Goefrey Kizito Baba and Ntambi Chrizestom, Proline duo of Mugabi Yasin and Wulube Lopidia, Bunamwaya SC and Cranes left back Godfrey Walusimbi, Express FC lead striker Ssekisambu Erias and the Villa’s duo of Isaacs, Muleme and Kirabira.
He was appointed assistant to Coach Asuman Lubowa in 2008 and later Head Coach when Lubowa left but quit the club in March 2009. He handled Mukono based side Misindye FC now (Misindye – Soana) between 2009 and 2010. He had a stint at Express FC in 2011 before rejoining Villa this year as the assistant to Coach Mike Mutebi. He is also the current Head Coach of the Uganda U-20 national soccer side “The Hippos”.
FACTFILE:
– Played for only 4 clubs – Nsambya, Bunamwaya SC, Express FC and SC. Villa.
– Won two league titltes with Villa 1992 and 1994
– Won two CECAFA titles with the Cranes in 1989 and 1990.
– Won one Uganda Cup title with Express FC in 1985.