Some call it the silly season, others pre-season whilst others refer to it as the transfer season. It’s a period for club to make and or spend money from player sales as well as players and agents/player representatives to make some.
Now that the dust has finally settled on last season, Kawowo Sports’ Ismael Kiyonga looks at the big clubs in the league and how they must shape their squads to in perfect shape in the next season.
In this, he looks at players that have left the clubs and how the clubs must fill the gaps to achieve their aspirations.
VIPERS SC
The league champions seem to be having a calmer pre-season than most of their competitors. No player has so far been announced to leave the club which implies they will have an almost similar squad with a few a new additions.
Last campaign, they struggled for goals from centre forwards and thus have snapped up John Semazzi from Express which looks so good an addition. With reports that Shafiki Bakaki has also joined them, the backline has also been considered. In the middle, Brian Nkuubi and Derrick Tekwo joining doesn’t only bring competition for slots but also squad depth with an eye on CAF Champions League.
If they can keep last season’s squad and make those additions as rumoured, they will be good to compete.
SC VILLA
After winning the Uganda Cup, the club has released more than half of the team and expects many new faces at Villa Park next season.
Looking at their new buys already, Umar Kasumba looks like will solve the goal scoring puzzle after an average season from forwards Victor Emenayo and Erisa Sekisambu. Nevertheless, they need to keep the latter at Villa Park to compliment the ex-Cop player.
Abel Eturude, Robert Acema alongside Augustine Nsumba look good for creative midfield. A mixture of youth and experience but it’s in defence and goalkeeping that they seem to have blundered.
Adding calamitous Ashadu Bugembe to Nicholas Sebwato and then letting Fahad Kawooya go with Jonathan Mugabi his replacement makes no sense.
However, in Patrick Mbowa, they have a good defender who just needs polishing. But still, the Villa Park management appears to have learnt nothing from the previous signings going by most new faces at the club.
KCC FC
New coaches and almost new players at the club means the rebuilding process re-starts. It was a surprise that eleven players were let go and some were really very important.
In this window, they must find a top class replacement for striker Herman Wasswa who scored 44 goals for the club in two and half seasons plus top defenders to take over from Ronnie Kisekka.
Already, the return of Kasagga gives them relief but for how long will he be at the club? Unlike many, he may leave at any time if the doors open for an opportunity so don’t be caught by surprise. The signing of Martin Mpuuga calls for more questions than answers while Dan Nsubuga joining as one of the strikers reminds me of a one Simon Okwi who struck no goal for the club before leaving for SC Victoria University a few seasons ago.
However, in Muzamir Mutyaba and Denis Okot, the club has signed gems that will add a lot to the team and the pending signing of Tanzanian Shaban Kondoa from Stand United; scorer of 7 goals in 9 games implies Wasswa may not be missed.
URA FC
The Tax Collectors must sign a top class defender in the window. Last season, they did concede a lot of goals which affected their title aspirations but before that, keeping Yasser Mugerwa, Feni Ali, Robert Ssentongo and Said Kyeyune should be priorities.
The acquisition of Moses Basena and Kefa Kisala also speaks volumes about the club’s ambition and if they can find solutions to the backline, they will be in the mix for the title.
EXPRESS FC
Where do I start with this giant club? For starters, they have let almost the entire team leave and Wasswa Bbosa’s first task will be to assemble a new team.
I don’t expect them to go buy players since the club is financially in a quagmire but the club needs players in all departments.
