2010/11 Uganda Super League champions URA FC kicks off their maiden CECAFA title hunt this Sunday against Tanzania’s Simba SC with only one thing on their heads and its none other than winning the championship.
This title has eluded the tax collectors despite reaching the finals on two occassions finishing runners up on both times.
They lost to Kenya’s Tusker FC in 2007 and then Atraco FC in 2008 a feat they would like not to happen this time round.
However, they must forget and put all this behind if they are to emulate the only three Ugandan sides in KCC FC, SC Villa and Police FC that have ever won this championship.
The Yellow lads won it under Coach Bidandi Ssali in 1978, SC Villa is the most successful club in the championship with three trophies under Polly Ouma in 1987, Mitcho Sredojevich in 2003 and in 2005 under Sam Timbe.
Police’s title came in 2006 under Timbe again. Under Alex Isabirye who won it as a player with Villa in 2003, URA FC looks set to emulate the feat going by the current squad.
The tax have two safe pair of hands in Yasin Mugabi and Allan Owiny which is a good foundation for any winning team.
In defence, the experience of Cranes right back Simeon Masaba, Sam Mubiru and Musa Doka plus the talent of youthful Allan Munaba and Sam Ssenkomi will be vital.
It will interesting to see how the former champions start life without Manko Kawesa who opted to join money bags Victoria University but in Oscar Agaba, they have a reliable anchor man.
The addition of Owen Kasule and Yayo Lutimba will offer selection headache to the technical team given the presence of Augustine Nsumba, Feni Ali Moses and the exciting Said Kyeyune but it’s a headache every manager is content with. Upfront, Robert Ssentongo and Erisha Ssekisambu can be relied upon.
Despite so, the team’s undoing is the fact that most of the boys have not played together for a while but the new boys fit well into the team and the technical team perfects it’s job in team selection and the like, no reason why URA FC doesn’t become the fifth Ugandan side to win the regional bragging rights.
Go go URA FC.
