There are six games left to play with 18 points up for grabs for Maroons.
Still rooted bottom of the table, thoughts of them playing in the FUFA Big League next season are now inevitable. In fact it’s almost certain that Maroons will come first from bottom at the end of the season if their unwanted consistency is anything to go by.
Talk of their failure to score goals has somewhat been on the mouth of every local football fan, yet as a team are a joy to watch. They are arguably the best passing team in the league but with little to show for their beautiful football.
It is said, a team is as good as its position and their season is judged based on league positions. Maroons are no exception!
As their quest for next season’s top flight football continues (a quest unlikely to yield positive results), there are three musketeers who have stood out among others and whose contributions shouldn’t go unnoticed.
Perhaps some of the top clubs in the league could use their services just in case Maroons get relegated.
Yahya Luuti (Midfielder)
Very few midfielders in the league would have an assured starting berth in their respective clubs with this youngster in sight.
A very calm, disciplined and extremely intelligent player, Luuti boasts of a creative mind and on top of these outstanding qualities, his work rate is unquestionable.
This being his first season in the league and being part of a Maroons side that has endured a terrible season, I will understand if majority don’t know who I am talking about.
The 19 year old has been a revelation and such a breathe-taking piece of art. Blessed with admirable composure, Luuti has been the focal point and the brain at his club.
Because of his excellent first touch, amazing vision and accurate passing, Maroons’ coach Paddy Kintu switched him to a deep-lying position, although his initial role being an attacking midfielder.
At 19 and with little experience in top flight football, Luuti has mastered the art of dictating play, regulating the game tempo and orchestrating moves although he’s been let down by his forwards.
Nonetheless, the midfielder has managed 4 assists of the 11 league goals Maroons has scored. Maroons’ ball possession and passing rotates around him, Peter Otai and Musa Ssali – the other two midfielders.
He’s arguably the top performer in this Maroons team.
Maxwell Okello (Center Back)
Okello is one of the very few experienced players in this current Maroons squad. What defines him is his unmatched leadership skills and his fighting spirit.
He is no team captain but as a vocal player, his teammates look up to him and commands respect. He is able to organise his defence and the team at large and get them back on track once things don’t go their way – which has been the order of the day for them this season.
As a motivator, his work rate is undeniably admired and with his fine game reading and brave challenges that we have witnessed often times, the defender cum midfielder has undoubtedly been one of the outstanding players at Maroons albeit their poor season.
Okello (not to be confused with Sylvester) is also a good header of the ball too.
Dennis Rukundo (Right Back)
Rukundo is another experienced player in the squad whose early season was hampered by injuries.
Gifted with pace, the right back is certainly untouchable while on the move. His speed and stamina makes him a very hard player to contain over 90 minutes and his crossing ability is way up there with the best in the league.
In addition, he’s a very direct player capable of causing harm to the opposition.
His ability to cause havoc in the opponent’s box can be backed by his simple statistics. The right back has scored twice in the league and made as many assists.
While tracking back, Rukundo is good at anticipating the opposition’s moves and as expected, quickly takes action.
The trio has been Maroons’ best this season and if the team’s misfortune is anything to go by, they could find themselves playing in the Big League next season.
