Overview:
Miya strengthens what is already one of UPL’s best functioning and balanced midfield units that has Enock Ssebagala, new signing Joel Sserunjogi, Paul Mbowa, Marvin Youngman, youngster Amour Munogera and Watambala.
Farouk Miya, considered one of the best in his position returned to Vipers after over ten years playing abroad.
The experienced midfielder has already played some competitive matches with the Venoms in the Cecafa Kagame Cup but where exactly does he fit into an already stacked title-winning squad?
Miya was arguably the league’s best player in 2015 before he left for Belgium in 2016 following Chan exploits with the Cranes in Rwanda.
The youngster then had just helped Vipers win only their second league title in history alongside Ibrahim Sadam Juma, Keziron Kizito, Deus Bukenya and Mike Sulaiman Mutyaba among others.
Outside Uganda, he has developed at Standard Liege and has also had stints with Mouscron, Sebail, Gorica, Konyaspor and Lviv among others.
Now, he embarks on a whole new challenge at Kitende with the reigning UPL champions whose ambitions include not only defending their league title but also go further in the Caf Champions League.
Where does he fit in an already congested midfield?
Though previously capable of playing as a no.8 box to box midfielder, Miya is currently better suited to playing as a no.10.
This is a position which for most parts last season belonged to league MVP Abdul Karim Watambala and he excelled with some important goals for the Venoms as well as a few assists.
With Miya now available, the two can compete for the same position.
However, given their goal contributions, Denis Lavagne could opt to play them together as viewed in the first two Kagame Cup matches and in the friendly against Nairobi United.
Because of his energy levels, Watambala can play as the no.8 in a double pivot with Sserunjogi with Miya just ahead of him behind the chosen centre forward but that means leaving out Enock Ssebagala or Marvin Youngman.
Miya strengthens what is already one of UPL’s best functioning and balanced midfield units that has Enock Ssebagala, new signing Joel Sserunjogi, Paul Mbowa, Marvin Youngman, youngster Amour Munogera and Watambala.
Against Nairobi United and Garde Republicaine (Cecafa), both Miya and Watambala started matches but in different set ups.
He played as a no.8 in a double pivot with Sserunjogi as Miya occupied the no. 10 role while against Nairobi United last weekend, Watambala was a deployed on the left side of attack meaning one natural winger was sacrificed as only Chukwuma Odili took over the right-wing leaving Milton Karisa and Usama Arafat on the bench as Marvin Youngman and Sserunjogi were preferred as the double pivot in front of the backline.
Miya’s joining could compromise minutes and roles for other midfielders the Venoms should be commended for adding depth, quality and variation to their squad from a position of strength.
How has Vipers has lined up on different occasion since Miya’s return
