As the clock ticks towards the end of the year, I must admit that there is little to celebrate about Ugandan football due to unending wrangles that have characterised year 2012. Nevertheless, there have been some outstanding individuals and events that have held the Ugandan flag high within or outside the country that deserve special recognition as Kawowo Sports’ ISMAEL KIYONGA writes. Let’s get started;
MOST VALUE PLAYER (MVP) – IBRAHIM SSEKAGYA (RED BULL SALZBURG, AUSTRIA):
After quitting international football, the former Cranes skipper Ibrahim Ssekagya guided his club Red Bull Salzburg to a league and cup double. In doing so, he became the first African to captain a European club to double glory in a season.
He beats URA FC star Robert Ssentongo who guided his club to the Bell Uganda Cup, won the Bell Super League and Uganda cup golden boot and also inspired Uganda Cranes to Cecafa Tusker Cup glory.
Gor Mahia FC forward Daniel Sserunkuma also came close after leading his side to FKF Cup and won the Kenya Premier League Player of the Year Award.
BEST FOREIGN BASED PLAYER – IBRAHIM SSEKAGYA (RED BULL SALZBURG, AUSTRIA):
Ibrahim Ssekagya bags this gong for his glorious displays with Red Bull Salzburg that saw him win the league and cup double as skipper. He beats Kenyan based Gor Mahia FC striker Daniel Sserunkuma (FKF Cup winner and MVP in KPL) and Tanzania based Hamis ‘Diego’ Kiiza (Cecafa Kagame Cup winner) who plies his trade with Yanga FC.
BEST LOCAL BASED PLAYER – ROBERT SSENTONGO (URA FC):
Not so many players had an outstanding year on the local scene than URA FC striker Robert Ssentongo. The diminutive forward won three golden boots (Bell Uganda Cup, Bell Uganda Super League and Cecafa Tusker Cup – albeit controversially). In addition, he won the Uganda Cup with URA FC and the Cecafa Tusker Cup with the Cranes. Only Express FC’s Bonny Baingana and current team mate Yayo Lutimba come close for helping the Red Eagles triumph in the league.
GOAL OF THE YEAR – DANIEL SSERUNKUMA (Gor Mahia Vs Muhoroni):
For those who closely followed the 2012 Kenya Premier League (KPL) season, without doubt believe Daniel Sserunkuma’s long range effort against Muhoroni Youth FC is the best goal scored by a Ugandan soccer player. Hamis Kiiza’s back heel against Wau Salam of South Sudan in the Cecafa Kagame Cup plus Steven Bengo’s goal against URA FC in the FSL come close though.
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR – SAID KYEYUNE (URA FC):
Many of the young talents in the country have been on and off this year but URA FC and Hippos midfielder Said Kyeyune takes the gong. Since his transfer from Maroons FC to URA FC, his game has been on an upward trend and recently earned his international debut in the Cecafa Tusker Cup. SC Villa’s Misi Katende, Proline FC’s William Wadri and Vipers SC’s Nicholas Wadada also did well.
REVELATION OF THE YEAR – GEOFFREY ‘BABA’ KIZITO:
He came, saw and conquered the hearts of Ugandan football fans following his impressive displays for both the Hippos and the Cranes in central midfield. After impressive displays with the U-20s against Ghana, Coach Bobby Williamson summoned Kizito for the Zambia encounter and surprisingly drafted him into the starting team in Ndola. The former Jogoo young wonder kid put up a man of the match performance and has become an integral member of the Cranes at the moment. He has the ability to hit the back of the net from midfield as witnessed in the recently concluded Cecafa Tusker Cup. He is the revelation of the year without doubt and one for the future.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER OF THE YEAR – HENRY KALUNGI:
He had many critics at the start but he has shown that he is the natural heir to former Uganda Cranes skipper Ibrahim Ssekagya. Forget his display in the 3-1 loss away to Congo Brazzaville, Kalungi has grown into stature and is always one of the first names on the national team sheet. His is composed and calm; rare assets for African defenders.
FLOP OF THE YEAR – NOAH SSEMAKULA (SC Victoria University):
Is it high time the once treasured and promising Noah Ssemakula is classified among wasted talent? May be Yes, May be No but if 2012 is the year to make this judgment, then he falls in the former category. He has done nothing of note this year something that prompted his sale from SC Villa to Victoria University but he is yet to make any positive impact at the University club.
TEAM OF THE YEAR – Express FC:
Express FC deserves this accolade for winning the Bell Uganda Super League. Against all odds, the Red Eagles beat favourites URA FC and Bunamwaya SC to win their first league trophy in 16 years.
COACH OF THE YEAR – SAM SSIMBWA:
Former Mbale Heroes, KCC FC and Sofapaka Coach Sam Ssimbwa bags this accolade after leading a poor Express FC to the league title.
DRAMA OF THE YEAR – Fufa Vs USL circus:
For the first time in the history of Ugandan football, the circus between these two bodies bred two national leagues (FSL and USL). Nothing beats this drama in football in 2012.
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR – Simo Dubajic (SC Victoria University):
With his massive investment in the club, the Serbian tried to improve the standard of the beautiful game in the country. He takes the gong.
WORST ADMINISTRATORS OF THE YEAR – Mujib Kasule, Lawrence Mulindwa and Kavuma Kabenge:
The trio is the reason Ugandan football is in limbo at the moment. They have consistently agreed to disagree on the way forward to improve Ugandan football with their endless wrangles. Moses Magogo and Fred Muwema also came close to winning this award.
BEST MATCH OF THE YEAR – Uganda 2-1 Kenya (Cecafa Tusker Cup final):
It was an evenly contested game that kept every watching fan on tenterhooks. It was a fantastic advert for the regional game.
WORST MATCH OF THE YEAR – Congo Brazzaville 3-1 Uganda:
The score line is a bit deceiving as Uganda Cranes was dominated for most parts of the game. It was Uganda’s worst performance in 2012 and Hippos’ 3-0 loss to Ghana Black Satellites in the Africa U-20 Youth Championship comes close.
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