Vipers winning captain of the 2015/16 FUFA Juniors League, Methodious Junju sings special praise of the platform for young players to exhibit their immense talents.
Junju was the skipper as the Kitende based side who lost only one game in the entire season won the youth championship that was compulsory for all the Uganda Premier League clubs.
After topping their group, they headed to the play-offs where they defeated Bul Juniors side 3-0 in the semi-finals.
In the finals, they held to a nervy penalty moment after a goalless draw with Kampala Capital City Authority Soccer Academy to win 4-1.
Geofrey Waswa, Alex Komakech, Ashraf Bamutaraki and Bashir Mutanda successfully dispatched their kicks from 12 yards as goalie Derrick Ochan saved two spot kicks from Mustapha Kizza and Herbert Achuri.
Meanwhile, Julius Poloto, also playing at the KCCA senior team had scored his opening effort for the KCCA Juniors.
Junju, a senior six student at St Mary’s Kitende eloquently told Kawowo Sports after the final showdown at Kawempe Muslim S.S play ground that the league has been beneficial by giving the young players a chance to also play;
Sometimes, we do not get time to play apart from the Copa qualifiers and the main tournament.
But, when this league for U-17 was started, we have played from August 2015 until May 2016.
This has been good for us to see our mistakes and prefect what we have to do right.
Then there were players who were not known at all, but the league has helped them to be exposed.
Junju, comfortable as a central midfielder, winger and striker also won the 2015 Copa championship with St Mary’s Kitende.
In a rather cheeky but confident mood throughout the interview, the diminutive but eagle eyed passing gem revealed of how his team was keen for every game played.
Every match was like a final.
We respected training sessions and always set targets for the next matches ahead. In a special way, i want to thank all my teammates, technical support team and management, and even the opponents for the fair competition.
He believes the success is a stepping stone as they head to Soroti for the National Copa Schools Championship.
Two of Junju’s team-mates Alex Komakech (formerly at Risah Nansana School) and Frank ‘Zagga’ Tumwesigye (formerly at Kakungulu High School in Kibuli) also won the U-17 league title with KJT in the inaugural edition.
Junju now targets graduation to the senior team;
We all play to get promoted to the higher level. I want to play for Vipers Senior team and also play for Uganda Cranes before turning pro.
All clubs that play in the Uganda Premier League must have U-17 sides playing in the FUFA Juniors League as a requirement to be fulfilled before the completion of the club licensing procedure.
Vipers Juniors Team winning Squad:
Derrick Ochan and Faruku Yawe Ssebanja (Goalkeepers), Salim Kyobe, Bashir Asiku, Alex Komakech, Geofrey Waswa, Collins Agaba, Bashir Mutanda, Frank Tumwesigye, Ashraf Bamutaraki, Methodious Junju (Captain), Fred Atuherwa, Francis Feni, Ali Bayo, John Ojara, Robert Kitabalwa, Emmanuel Bizimungu
Team Officials:
Frank Katalaga (Team Manager), Ronald Ssali (Head coach), David Bbale (Assistant), Michale Lule (Assistant), Geofrey Wasswa (Official)
