The world over, there are a lot of extremely promising young soccer players that never live to realise their full potential. A lot of reasons are raised for such stagnation or failures but in the end, the biggest portion of blame goes to the lads themselves. Many tend to lose focus amidst all attention while many think that being talented is just enough to have a successful career. Talent alone will not guarantee a fulfilled footballing career. Combining that talent with mental fortitude is imperative.
Many have lacked that trait and for all the talent they have, their careers have never reached the astronomical heights of super stardom or even footballing immortality as some had envisioned. Others have had their promising careers cut short by unforeseeable circumstances. Kawowo Sports’ Ismael Kiyonga writes about some of the most wasted talents in Uganda’s current football generation.
Tom Ssemwogerere:
Ssemwogerere came to prominence while playing for SC Villa in 2005-06. He was a complete centre back whose game reading, tackling and calmness when in possession were a joy to watch. However, his game slowed down after making a move to Rwanda’s Atraco FC in 2007 a few months after joining first division side Kanyanya FC. He was part of the Uganda Kobs side that fell to South Africa’s Amaglug-glug in the 2008 Olympic qualifiers.
Baker Kigongo:
While still a student at Masaka SS, Kigongo was looked at as Uganda’s future left sided winger. He had a left foot that would even make Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs proud. It was no surprise that high profile super league clubs were yearning for his signature at the time. He opted for Bigiri Old Timers where he spent the 2004 season before joining Police FC in 2005 and later Express FC in 2007 before he quit serious football. He tried to make a return last season with Masaka LC but it appeared too little too late.
Martin Muwanga:
In 2005, Ugandans thought they had gotten a perfect attacking combo similar to that of Andrew Mukasa and Hassan Mubiru (Mu-Mu) that ruled the nation during the late 90s and early 2000s. And guess who formed the combo? Martin Muwanga and Geoffrey Massa while playing for Police FC. Though both scored and created goals in equal measure, Muwanga was the most talented and technically gifted of the two. His progress however stagnated and while Massa is playing professional football and an integral part of the national team, Muwanga failed to cut the grade for the Cranes and is currently at Vipers SC (former Bunamwaya SC).
Ronald Muganga:
He is one of the most technically gifted soccer players that have graced the Ugandan soil. A product of Jogoo Young, Muganga was seen as the natural replacement to SC Villa legend Phillip Ssozi both at club and national level. He possessed a hard shot, brilliant cross and had an eye for goal. However, it all ended at that as he has failed to realise the potential he exhibited while young. He played for Bunamwaya SC before making a return to SC Villa early last year but has failed to impress even at the moment with most of his appearances being off the substitutes’ bench.
Ceaser Okhuti:
In 2007, a new star surfaced on the land in Ediofe Hill FC striker Ceaser Okhuti. He took the league by storm and was immediately drafted into the squad for the 2007 Cecafa Challenge Cup (GTV Sponsored then) by Coach Laslo Csaba. He didn’t disappoint as he put up a great show especially in the quarter final game against Kenya’s Harambe Stars. Reports also emerged then that Spanish scouts were monitoring the progress of Okhuti and had requested for his travel to the country for trials. The rumour later went cold and the boy joined Bunamwaya SC despite interest from SC Villa. Since then, he has never been the same and has failed to break into the national team despite early signs of a great.
Steven Bengo:
He is arguably the most technically gifted player of the current generation but for all his talent, Bengo has failed to play at a higher level as he portrayed while young. It’s amazing that he still struggles to find a place on the Cranes bench. He had a semi-professional stint in Tanzania with Simba SC flop before returning to Uganda. He is currently at SC Villa but still struggles to dominate games and looks more of a squad player than a star.
Ibrahim Saddam Juma:
During his youth, Juma played for Kampala Kids League. He was a key player in the team that won Tivoli Cup and Gothia Cup in 2003 – he scored 25 goals in 13 matches during the latter competition – and the Tivoli Cup again the following year. He helped the team win the Tivoli Cup again. At this rate, he was a star in waiting but has since retrogressed. His brilliance was also witnessed in the 2010 Super League season when he helped Bunamwaya SC win their only league title attracting interest from Barclays Premier league club Fulham FC. For all his range of passing, creativity and dead ball expertise, Saddam has seen his career on a down ward spiral and is currently without a club after his contract with SC Victoria University was terminated.
Noah Ssemakula:
He was once described by Coach Mike Mutebi as a player who can grow into Uganda’s greatest number ten. He is technically gifted, strong on the ball and has an eye for goal. He has however failed to use all those assets to dominate headlines for good reasons. At his age, he has so far played for Victors FC, Express FC, SC Villa and now SC Victoria University but without much impact. Many have written him off.
Augustine Nsumba:
While still young, he was described as a natural heir to Hakim Magumba. His talent is un doubted but ever since he showed flashes of brilliance that earned him a professional stint in Denmark where he flopped before returning to Uganda, he has never been the same. He currently plies his trade with URA FC.
Mike Sserumaga:
He once played and trained alongside Sweden star Henrik Larson at Helsingborg FC. That was as recent as 2007/08. He was however the architecture of his down fall after suffering a knee injury while playing for his local side KB lions while still under contract with Helsingborg which was eventually terminated. He has since played for, Bunamwaya SC, URA FC, Rayon Sport (Rwanda), St. George (Ethiopia) and now Proline FC.
Simon Sserunkuma:
Sserunkuma dominated headlines in the 2007 GTV super league while playing for Victors FC. He was the best right sided midfielder in the league then and possessed all the attributes of a complete winger. He is quick, had the ability to beat his markers at will and had an eye for both a good pass and goal. No wonder, SC Villa forked out 16 million for his services from Victors FC making him the most expensive player domestically then; a record that has since been broken by Denis Guma’s move from SC Villa to SC Victoria University. However, he flopped at Villa Park and was let go by the club early last year where he joined Bunamwaya SC but also failed to rejuvenate his game. He made his Cranes debut in 2009 against Malawi but has since failed to even make the national team squad.
Who would you add on that list?
