The 2014/15 Uganda Premier League season finally reached climax on Tuesday 19 with Vipers crowned champions as Kira Young joined Rwenshama and Entebbe FC to complete the relegated trio.
It was a season where players’ consistence was so questionable bar MVP Farouk Miya and his teammate Kezironi Kizito.
Such inconsistency made it difficult to name the best performing eleven players in their respective positions but still, I think the players below excelled more than the rest.
Nicholas Sebwato (SC Villa): Statistics rarely lie and it is on this basis that I pick the SC Villa goalie ahead of Vipers’ Ismail Watenga, Bright Stars’ Mathias Kigonya and Bul. FC’s Franco Olinga.
Sebwato kept 13 clean sheets since taking over from Ali Kimera despite conceding some avoidable goals like one against SC Victoria University.
Denis Okot (SCVU): In bad and good times at the club, the ex-SC Villa right back stood tall and remained the most consistent player at SC Victoria University. In a campaign where right backs blew hot and cold, Okot is the right back of the season.
Farouk Musisi (Lweza FC): If there was one consistent player in the campaign, it has to be Lweza’s left back Farouk Musisi. The number 17 was consistent right from his defensive roles as well as offensively. Only KCC FC’s Simon Namwanja and Vipers’ Dan Birikwalira comes close.
Saddat Kyambadde (Police): His exploits in the campaign earned him a call up to the national U23 side and the CHAN team. A good game reader, Kyambadde was a colossus at the back for the Cops. Always kept things tight at the back in a season Police played so well.
Ibrahim Kiyemba (Lweza): Like Kyambadde, Kiyemba was also a constant figure for Lweza at the back. His stature, good game reading and aerial ability were amongst the reasons Lweza stayed in the top division for at least another campaign.
His form and class earned him a national team debut for both the Uganda Kobs and Uganda Cranes.
Hakim Senkumba (KCC FC): In a season that saw KCC FC title challenge collapse near the end of the league due to players’ inconsistence and injuries, Senkumba was the ever present figure in the middle of the pack. The ex-Vipers (Bunamwaya and SC Villa) midfielder did well in intercepting opponent’s attacks as well as initiating play from deep. Never did I see him with a day off in the season.
Kezironi Kizito (Vipers): Call him new kid on the block, revelation of the season and or whatever you want. The heartbeat of Vipers’ midfield as he created goals as well as initiated play from deep. His combination with Patrick Ssembuya in the middle was a joy to watch. Kizito would at times make you think playing football is easy.
Farouk Miya (Vipers): In very few circumstances does an award go to someone and every person nods in agreement. The Vipers’ number 10 was named the Most Valuable Player in the season and no one doubted. His 11 goals including one against SC Villa in the title decider gave his side the title. Miya is an embodiment of a true professional. He is disciplined, hardworking and possesses a lethal foot with a fierce shot.
Milton Kaliisa (Bul. FC): In a team that isn’t blessed with many skillful players, Milton Kaliisa alongside Robert Acema made the difference.
They youngster created goals for the Jinja based side but also managed to hit the back of the net six times.
Robert Ssentongo (URA FC): For finishing on top of the goal scoring charts with 15 goals, the URA FC center-forward makes an entry into my team of the season. He averages a goal at least in two games. Not so good a return for the experienced center-forward but we can comfortably say, he was the best amongst the lot we had.
Umar Kasumba (Police FC): From day one, Kasumba showed his goal scoring instincts and he truly lived to it. Unlucky to miss out on the golden boot after leading the charts for so many days but 14 goals is no mean feat for a mid-table team player.
John Semazzi (Express FC): The Red Eagles may have blown hot and cold but in John Semazzi, they possess a gem. The Express’ number 7 tore defences apart with his blistering pace and lethal feet. He deserves a lot in the best team of the season.
COACH – Edward Golola: Arguably the best Coach of the Season with no doubt. He handled a youthful side and his tactical play with a natural centre forward reminded me of Pep Guardiola’s days at Barcelona.
Honourable Mentions:
Ismail Watenga (Vipers), Erisha Ssekisambu (SC Villa), Patrick Ssembuya (Vipers SC), Simon Namwanja (KCC FC), Timothy Awani (KCC FC), Fred Segujja (Sadolin Paints), Yasser Mugerwa (SCVU/URA).
