Can the money bags win the league title at their first asking?
To many football fans out there, SCVU is the club to watch next season given its activity in the transfer market but managing director Simo Dubajic takes the pressure off his boys by asserting that the club’s major target is a top eight finish.
The club seems to be the most organised off the pitch but that will count less if the army on the pitch fails to deliver. Serbian Coach Ivan Zoric insists that the club may be having a lot of quality individually but assembling it as a quality team may not be easy.
“Having individuals of great quality is different from assembling them into a quality team”, he once told Kawowo Sports. The university side holds the record for being the youngest team to make it to the country’s top tier just 9 months after its formation and also the first university soccer side to get promotion to the super league in Ugandan football.
In a bid to keep competitive in the super league, the club has not only brought in 11 talented players but also last season’s title winning coach Sam Ssimbwa who guided the Wankulukuku side to their first league title in 16 years. Ivan Zoric asserts that his European experience and talent combined with Ssimbwa’s domestic football experience will no doubt make a good combination. “My past success and experience speaks for myself. I have no problem working with Zoric as my manager. Our goal is one and that is driving the club to success”, says Ssimbwa.
The club has a mixture of youth and experience but there is no denying the talent at the technical team’s disposal. Though this comes with a selection headache, it’s a disease every manager will welcome with both hands. Players like Joseph Nestroy Kizito, Manko Kawesa, Noah Ssemakula, Ali Kimera, Denis Guma and Sadam Ibrahim Juma join the club with a lot of needed experience while the likes of Charles Tibingana, George Abege and Lawrence Kasadha are already U-20 international players.
In Martin Mpuga, the club has one of the most no nonsense central defenders in the league. His command of the back line coupled with his aerial ability and game reading will no doubt prove an asset for the club. If Mpuga and Savio Kabugo forge a formidable combination at the heart of defence with Nestroy Kizito and Denis Guma on the left and right back position respectively, the university side will have one of the best defences in the league.
However, like the Serbian Coach Ivan Zoric says; a football team is built on player combinations not individual quality. This may be the only hindrance but I guess the club will be hard to beat though winning the title in their first year may be asking too much since most of these players are playing together for the first time but when they forge a good understanding, they will be challengers on all fronts come next season.
Besides, the Kamwokya based side has had a fantastic pre-season with a lot of warm up matches that may have given the technical team to decide which players play well together.
One to Watch: Joseph Nestroy Kizito
The former Partizan Belgrade defender comes in with a lot of experience. He has played at top level for the last decade. He is a winner and one of the most dedicated players this country has ever produced. His talent has never been in doubt and will be the club’s star man. He will lead from the back but he is also good going forward.
SPORTS CLUB VICTORIA UNIVERSITY PROFILE:
Founded: 19th/08/2011
Home ground: Mandela Stadium Namboole
Training ground: Namboole (Outside pitch)
Club Colours: Red (Home), White (Away) & Blue (Third kit)
Patron: Simon Dubajic
Head coach: Ivan Zoric
Assistant coach: Sam Ssimbwa (1st assistant) & Steven Bogere (2nd assistant)
Club Captain: Joseph Nestroy Kizito Ass: Denis Guma
Players In: Ibrahim Saddam Juma (Sai Gon, Vietnam), Manko Kawesa (URA FC), Ali Kimera (Victors FC), Martin Mpuuga & George Abege (Maroons FC), Noah Ssemakula & Lawrence Kasadha (SC Villa), Charles Tibingana (Proline FC), Nestroy Kizito (Dinamo Tbilisi, Serbia) and Victor Olua Idika (Nigeria).
Players Out: Allan Katerega, Allan Tomusange, Said Malidad Bukenya, Adam Kakeeto, Isaac Bisaso, Moses Wajja, Ahmed Tabu, Andrew Kalule, Tony Lubega and Ronald Kirumira.
Last season: Promoted
Next season target: Top Eight.
