How will the club cope without George Abege and skipper Martin Mpuga?
It promises to be a difficult season for Maroons FC after letting many players leave the club at the end of last season but Coach Asaph Mwebaze is confident the team is still strong and ready for the competitive season ahead.
During one of his exclusive interviews with Kawowo sports during pre-season, Mwebaze likened the prisons side to Dutch Eredivisie side Ajax Amsterdam. He was referring to club’s ability to produce talent year in, year out. This was after pundits saw the sale of the club’s top scorer last season George Abege, skipper
Martin Mpuga and midfielder Alex Tuliraba to Victoria University
and KCC FC respectively as self-destruction.
“We shall cope even without the trio. Maroons is like Ajax, we are always able to produce talent season after season”, said Mwebaze.
In a bid to reinforce the side, Mwebaze has signed last season’s big league top scorer Osman Mutumba from Iganga TC to fill the void left by Abege. In addition to Osman (scored 15 goals last season), the club has also promoted three of its best performing players in the reserve team; Salim Kiyaga, Patrick Kaddu & Solomon Ole.
The club has also added Allan Tomusange from SC Victoria University to the squad. He is a talented player who was very instrumental in the promotion of the university side to the super league but his inexperience on the big stage may not bare immediate fruits for the Luzira based side.
The club has not signed a player from a super division side but Coach Asaph believes in the squad at his disposal.
“There are no major differences in the Ugandan players. These boys are good and am confident they will deliver”.
Last season, the club took the league by storm in the opening months but faded as the competition tightened. They played the best game in the league and were free scoring to the extent that many nicknamed them “Uganda’s Barcelona”.
The side’s main target is a top 8th finish but given the level of preparation from other clubs, the club must be ready to last the distance unlike last season when they lost many games at the close of last season.
He is a player with a lot of potential and this is his breakthrough season given that the club will be without its star man last season George Opiyo Abege. He must be the chief creator as well as score with goals if Maroons FC are maintain or even usurp last season’s performance. It’s a do or die season for Otai.
MAROONS FC PROFILE:
Founded: 1965
Home ground: Prisons Ground, Luzira.
Training ground: Luzira Outside pitch.
Club Colours: Maroon & White stripes (Home), White (Away)
Patron: Johnson Byabashaija
Head coach: Asaph Mwebaze
Assistant coach: Mohammad Ssebuufu
Club Captain: Silvestre Okello
Players In: Allan Tomusange (SCVU), Dan Kulabako (Busunju FC), Rogers Mulira (Wandegeya), Ronald Magom (Misindye FC), Kamada Luboga, Patrick Agaba (Old Kampala SS), Osman Mutumba (Iganga TC), Salim Kiyaga, Patrick Kaddu & Solomon Ole (Maroons Reserves).
Players Out: Alex Tuliraba (KCC FC), Martin Mpuga & George Abege (SCVU), Samuel Oguttu, Quddus Elasu, Innocent Shida, Ronald Mugabi, Edward Muyingo, Petit Warnock, Ronald Atugonza and Farouk Musinguzi
Last season: 10th
Next season target: Top 8.
