2016/17 FUFA Junior League Final:
- KCCA Soccer Academy 0 (2) – 0 (4) Soana Junior Team
In the aftermath of their heart breaking 4-2 penalty shoot out loss to Soana Junior Team, KCCA Soccer Academy’s head coach Jackson Magera appreciated the effort of his youngsters and cast the blame and curse on sheer luck.
Speaking to Kawowo Sports, Magera was humbled by superb display of his players who ‘ran short’ only on luck.
We played our best, created chances but i think we were not luck.
You see, we even had a few goal line clearances and a penalty in the closing stages but still failed to score.
It was purely down to luck.
Soana Junior Team overcame KCCA Soccer Academy 4-2 in a tense penalty shoot out of the final played on a soggy Kakindu play ground in Jinja.
Ivan Ssekide, Wilber Kabwama, Solomon Maiso and second half substitute Emma Kizza were on target for Soana Junior Team in the tense shootout.
Ivan Eriga and Denis Kato scored KCCA Soccer Academy’s opening two goals.
Captain Francis Jurua faltered before star striker Sadat Anaku missed the other following fine saves by the goalkeeper Sulaiman Kimbugwe who had been an outfield player during normal play but went to the goal posts in the shoot outs.
KCCA Soccer Academy’s captain Jurua had missed an 87th minute penalty that would have killed off the game in the closing stages.
Magera, a former player himself was assisted by former Uganda Cranes roving right back Richard Malinga with the tried and tested Adrian Lumala the team coordinator (manager).
He believes the future is bright for the team despite the back to back losses in heart breaking fashion during the finals.
KCCA Soccer Academy had also lost 5-4 in penalties during the 2016 edition when they fell to Vipers at the Kawempe Muslim play ground.
The future is really bright. We have this project which is a feeder to the senior team.
I also wish to appreciate my bosses at KCCA who have believed in the team and my working technical team. I salute the team manager Mike Mutebi and the rest of the officials.
I thank FUFA and FIFA for the organization.
We shall keep working hard for next season and the years to come.
Individual top performers:
KCCA reaped big in the individual awards. Sharp striker Sadat Anaku finished with 29 goals as the free dribbling ace Ivan Asaba was voted the most valuable player of the entire league.
About the U-17 League:
The league was started in 2015 with KJT winning the maiden edition and Vipers Junior team winning the subsequent one.
Special support from FIFA:
FIFA bank rolled the Juniors league with balls, playing jerseys, shin guards, sockings, boots and money (transport) to every team.
Each of the 16 head coaches of the Junior side have been also getting a monthly remuneration on top of monies reserved for training Junior referees who handled all the matches of this league.
FIFA also financed the mandatory MRI tests to help ascertain the true ages of the players fielded.
KCCA Soccer Academy XI Vs Soana Junior Team in the final at Kakindu Stadium, Jinja:
Goram Nsubuga, Innocent Biyika, Ivan Eriya, Denis Kato, Reagan Kasumba, Francis Jurua, Ivan Asaba, Issa Ochama, Sadat Anaku, Timothy Odongo, Gerald Kawooya
Subs: Michael Lutaaya (G.K), Anthony Emojong, Yusuf Yahaya, Ismail Wasswa, Ibrahim Lubwama, Musa Jjungu
