Talking points from the Uganda Premier League after 10 games

The StarTimes Uganda Premier League takes a short break with focus now turned to international football for the second break this season.

So far, more than a quarter of the premier league season has been played with over half of the teams on the 18-team log on 10 matches.

Ismael Kiyonga takes a look at the talking points so far

Unbeaten BUL sets early pace in title race

BUL are top of the table on 23 points and still with a game in hand over chasing pack.

Unbeaten at the stage and only four points dropped in draws away and at home to Lugazi and Entebbe UPPC respectively, Alex Isabirye’s young side have set the pace.

So far, only Villa and NEC; both 19 goals have scored more than BUL’s 18 with forwards Derrick Byabacwezi, Swabir Mpasa, Richard Okello and Alex Kitaata in lethal form.

One small quirk that means BUL should not start making plans for celebrating their maiden league title is that in the past couple of seasons, they have had similar starts but failed miserably in the second half of the season. Can they maintain same form until the season ends? Question remains.

The chasing pack

• NEC in second: Badru Kaddu’s NEC sit second on same points; 23 only behind on head-to-head after that 2-1 defeat to BUL and have played a game more than the leaders.
• Villa, UPPC & KCCA follow closely: Following a tough start, KCCA are just four points behind the leaders after streaking six wins and are unbeaten in seven matches.

On 19 points, the Kasasiro also have a game in hand over Villa (21 points) and Entebbe UPPC (19) who are head in 3^rd and 4^th respectively.

The surprises

• Vipers’ nightmare start: BUL leading the table at this time is surprising but not as much as Vipers’ stuttering start to the campaign. The Venoms were unbeaten on the pitch last term but have already lost two matches (UPPC at home & away to Mbarara City) in nine league matches. They sit nine points behind BUL on same games and this could arguably be the champions’ worst start in over twenty years.
• Defensive backbone for Entebbe UPPC: Abdallah Mubiru’s Entebbe UPPC have kept six clean sheets in ten matches and conceded just four goals. Surprisingly, they have scored the fewest goals; eleven, amongst teams in the top five.

Managerial changes at four clubs

Four coaches have already lost their jobs in the opening quarter of the season.

Jimmy Kintu Mwera (URA), Denis Lavagne (Vipers), Joseph Harlod Mutyaba (Kigezi Home Boyz) and Pius Ngabo (Ntugasaze) have all been replaced already following abysmal start to the season.

However, only at URA, where experienced Sam Ssimbwa took over have the fruits of change been well observed with three wins in as many games under him.

The relegation battle

With four seasons going down at the end of the season, the relegation fight is already on.

Three newcomers; Kigezi Home Boyz, Ntugasaze and Kataka appear destined to return immediately to the Fufa Big League but Express, Maroons, Lugazi, UPDF and Mbarara City need to pull up their socks if they are to avoid being part of the party.

Only three points separate 15^th (Lugazi) on eight points from 11^th (Maroons & Express) at the moment.  

The promoted teams

There is good news for Blacks Power who have started the season like a house on fire. Simon Peter Mugerwa’s men are in the top half of the season with 13 points in 8^th position.

However, fellow newcomers Kataka (3pts), Ntugasaze (4pts) and Kigezi Home Boyz (4pts) occupy the bottom three positions and most likely to fight for relegation till the end.

The hattrick heroes

Only three players have netted hattricks in the premier league this season. BUL’s Derrick Byabacwezi was the first player to achieve the feat when he netted three against Kataka in Bukedea.

Usama Arafat of Vipers repeated the feat against the same opponent, at the same venue and last week, Entebbe UPPC’s Ambrose Kigozi scored thrice versus Ntugasaze.