Days like Friday 19th December 2014 do not come around often for lesser clubs of the Uganda Premier League — those magical moments for underrated teams to be recognized.
Lweza F.C’s loyal fans are still pinching themselves after the hard fought 1-0 victory over league giants KCCA .F.C at Muteesa II stadium, Wankulukuku. Who grabbed headlines for the day? Goal hero Farouk Musisi -scored a second half bizarre goal to make the mammoths of Lweza fans lose their seats, but the unsung hero of the day was midfielder, Mike Sserumanga.
As every team should have one, the 2013-2014 Big league champions are no different with their new recruit Sserumanga. If he has had poor games this first round so far, jog your memory and tell me one.
Although the Orange boys have not performed so well so far — sitting in the 11th position out of the 16 teams in their maiden season in the top flight football league, they can at least afford a smile for their efforts.
The club received a blow when head coach, Viali Bainomugisha absconded from duty but that is what sets the sponsor-less Uganda premier league apart from its counterparts and the drama continues. Though football is not a one-man game, stand out players have to be credited for their efforts amongst the rest of their colleagues at their respective clubs.
Mike Sserumaga’s Role In The Team:
Just like Simon Sserukuma did when he left Vipers SC to Express F.C, Sserumaga read from Sserunkuma‘s script and part ways with SC Victoria University to join a lesser side ,more so new comers – Lweza F.C. He has not scored many goals for the for the team but his presence on the pitch strikes fear into the opponents’ hearts even before the game kicks off and this is exactly what took place to the KCCA F.C playing staff and other teams he has faced.
Caretaker coach Hamuza Kalanzi said after Friday’s encounter that the shirt number ten made a big difference in the attacking role because he was so confident on the ball and set the tone of the game for his side.
He has been our beast player so far this season. That sums it up. His runs across the middle of the park and short split passes usually set the tempo on regular basis for the new comers and his acquisition by the club was a blessing. What ever the club has achieved this season in form of points, Sserumanga has played a pivotal role.
He Injects League Experience To Team:
Goalie Mike Majjwega (from Entebbe F.C), defender Ayub Kisalita and Forward Mike Sserumanga (from SCVU) were the only players in the starting lineup against KCC F.C who have ever played in the top league, the rest were novices.
He was not the team skipper but commanded his teammates, talked to the centre referee where possible and ran the visitor’s back-line ragged for the entire 90 minutes. Some times, with players like him, you only realize how important they are when they don’t play.
I think his absence showed when his side lost 2-1 at home to Express F.C in the Wankulukuku derby as he was returning from national team duty and never transpired in the encounter.
Secondly he keeps the team ticking by picking the right passes and spreading play like he did against KCC F.C and this was evidenced by his interplay down the left with goal hero Farouk Musisi, who lofted a curling ball past goalie Yasin Mugabi.
His exploits with a low profile club like Lweza .F.C earned him national team re-call a couple of months back and all that re-affirming that particular fact of the aforementioned player’s glittering form.