On Friday August 19, Krinya-Jinja SSS played their maiden Uganda Premier League game at Bugembe Stadium.
Uganda Revenue Authority offered opposition as the debutants entered a new territory seeking to register victory on their first appearance in top flight.
The game that saw big numbers turn up had the newcomers enjoy the lion’s share of possession but their failure to find the back of the net meant they started life in the league with a draw.
For a team that was making its debut in the country’s elite league, a draw against a former league champion and an experienced URA side was seen as a great result.
Here is what we observed from the game.
Mike Kawooya’s impact
For a Kirinya-Jinja SSS side that is favourite to go down, experience is key if they are to stay in the league for atleast one more season. That’s exactly what Kawooya (formerly at Bul) offers.
The defender was never at fault on Friday as he helped calm the nerves at the back and thwart any form of danger. Alex Isabirye’s backline was well composed and poised because of one man Kawooya, surprisingly making them look like the experienced side of the two teams.
One particular move that saw him win the fans’ hearts was when he prevented URA’s Elkana Nkugwa from completing a deadly counter attack that could have won Kefa Kisala’s men the game by expertly tackling the tricky forward inside the box.
It was a great show for the defender who came on a free transfer.
Mark Bamukyaaye is good but needs polishing
One of the players who had the crowd entertained was the diminutive winger Mark Bamukyaaye. The 20-year-old troubled the opposition defense with his pace and dribbling but fell short of fundamentals. He often delayed to pass the ball and whenever he did, it was not timely.
Decision making, composure in front of goal and shooting were also areas that challenged him.
Last season in the Big League, he managed only one goal. For a player of his talent, it was a disappointing stat. He needs to get out of his comfort zone and start scoring goals.
He’s obviously a young, promising and an exciting player, typical of a crowd puller but with him playing in the country’s top league now, he needs to give special attention to key areas.
URA are not ready to challenge for the title
Like Arsenal in the English Premier League, URA always begin the new season as title contenders but end up disappointing their fans along the way.
It is perhaps demeaning to say that the four time league winners are not genuine title contenders and therefore shouldn’t be taken serious, but after watching them struggle against a less fancied team that was playing its first game in top flight; I’m forced to believe Kisala and his side are far from contenders this season.
Their busy preseason saw them sign close to a dozen of players, creating the belief that even after letting go of some of their influential players like Robert Ssentongo, the tax collectors are all systems go and were expected to kick off their season in style.
They were overwhelming favorites to not only dictate affairs but also win the game going into Friday’s tie but well, never lived up to the billing. Instead, Kisala witnessed his charges reduced to defending.
The attack which was their major strength last season was as ineffective as they come as they managed only three shots on target.
Having released last season’s top scorer Ssentongo and Frank Kalanda, the club signed two strikers as replacements but none featured for the side on Friday.
Rwandese striker Bokota Labama Kamana is yet to receive his working permit while Nigerian Ibe Emmanuel Obina picked up an injury in training on Thursday which leaves URA with no natural striker at the moment.
While Ssentongo’s loss had its pros considering his indiscipline record, it surely left a huge gap behind.
The defense that was nothing but sloppy last season is still a suspect. Albeit signing a couple of defenders, nothing has really changed apart from the goalkeeping area.
Against Kirinya, they were very lucky not to concede credit to goalkeeper Mathias Muwanga who made some smart saves.
What will happen when they meet more clinical and experienced forwards?
Well, time will tell. Perhaps it’s too early to draw conclusions.
