Maroons’ horrid season ended in the worst possible manner after enduring a ghastly campaign that sent them packing back to the Big League.
It came as no surprise when the inaugural league winners became the first team to confirm relegation this season as early as April 26, following their 3-2 loss to Soana, then with three games to spare.
Their season was characterized by poor decision making by the board and horrendous displays that came on a consistent basis.
And coupled with the horrible performances especially away from home, the club faithful had to witness internal wrangles with the coaching role a major issue.
With the infights eating up the club, it’s rumoured that a sponsorship deal that only needed approval by the board members was also affected as some “selfish” minds who felt undermined blocked the deal. Such are circumstances under which the club is being run.
Maroons had underperformed under Asaph Mwebaze (the man who brought them back to the league in 2007 after 20 years of absence) but the decision to sack the club’s longterm serving coach “left a lot to be desired” according to some members.
They were never satisfied with the appointment of the current coach Paddy Kintu.
Unlike his predecessor who only managed a solitary win, Kintu who managed to grasp a couple of wins can argue out his case although the wins were never enough to clinch survival. This left questions like ‘Was he the right man’? answered.
It is clear to see that opinions at Maroons are divided over their recent managerial appointment.
Kintu is now the coach but if Maroons secretly thought he would immediately win over the dressing room and record a number of points and possibly turn around the campaign, it did not quite work out that way. Instead the feeble Maroons kept showing up.
While the marriage between the prisoners and Mwebaze was referred to as a “perfect” one by many, Mwebaze registered just one win from the 13 games he oversaw at the club this past season. He lost eight and drew four times while scoring seven goals and conceding 16.
On the other hand, his successor who was appointed coach with two games to the end of the first round lost 12 times, won twice and drew thrice. Kintu’s side saw the net eight times while letting in 24 in 17 games.
One thing is for sure, both coaches failed to get goals from their forwards in spite of their passing football that saw them outpossess most of their opponents.
This mainly attributed to the club’s downfall.
With the losing culture set at the club, the fans and perhaps even the players looked at the Big League as a respite from a seemingly ‘tough’ league.
In all fairness though, the club’s failure to make a few signings of experienced and quality players cost them.
