The 2015 season of the University Football League (UFL) successfully came to a conclusion on Saturday, 21st November 2015 at the Nelson Mandela National stadium, Namboole.
Makerere University Business School (MUBS) made history when they humiliated Uganda Martyrs’ University, Nkozi 4-0 in a one sided final to become the first university to win two successive titles since the tournament inception in 2011.
Kawowo Sports’ David Isabirye kept a keen eye on all the teams to identify the best talent born of the 2015 University Football league edition.
1 – Hannington Ssebwalunyo (Goal Keeper) – Ndejje University
The towering frame of the shot stopper is one reason among others Luwero based Ndejje University finished second runners up in the tournament.
Ssebwalunyo left Makerere after his diploma studied for the greener pastures in Ndejje where he is on an educational bursary.
Bar his organizational discipline at the back line, he was a darling to watch as he thwarted all sorts of aerial threats, and exceled at one against one situations at many times his spongy backline was exposed.
He narrowly beats MUBS’ Eric Dhaira to the slot as my best goal keeper in the tournament.
His brother, Joshua Lubwama of Makerere University was the top scorer
2 – Joseph Nyero (Gulu University):
Disciplined and a team leader, Nyero can comfortably play more than two positions on the field of play.
Little wonder therefore, he takes my pick at the right back.
3 – Yunus Kateregga (Uganda Martyrs’ University, Nkozi)
He was initially at Nkumba University before he dropped out due to lack of fees. Kateregga, despite his diminutive structure was a darling to catch as he customized the left flank to become the ‘Yunus Kateregga lane’.
Big talent that clubs ought to monitor with a keen eye as he continues to grow in confidence and decision making.
4 – Davis Kasujja (MUBS)
He habours the heart of a tiger and lion combined. Fearless, strong in the air and on ground, Kasujja’s man management ideas at the central defence at many times helped team MUBS keep a clean sheet in the games played.
Once in a while, he would offer that extra man advantage as he ventured in the murky waters upfront with the odd goal.
5 – Douglas Muganga (Nkumba University)
The Nkumba University team skipper is as composed as Pope Benedict XI’s head of security.
Intelligent on the ball, Muganga is equally as hard as the famous Nyero rocks.
His successful ventures upfront win him special applause for the three goals scored.
An excellent team leader that also takes my pick as the captain of the whole lot.
6 – Andrew Obonyo (MUBS):
Deep holding midfielders are a blessed crop in football. Obonyo has the blend of skill, patience of a man courting a disgruntled married woman and the power that have run the turbines at Owen falls dam since its 1964 inception.
Obonyo is a contemporary holding midfielder that can straight away walk to any of the 16 Azam Uganda Premier League club and play week in, week out.
He is exceptional in the mid of the pack.
7 – Emmanuel Kamya (Uganda Martyrs’ University, Nkozi):
Kamya is the official step over master of University football. He plays for the crowd and the team.
Years after Umar Bulega left Makerere University in 2004/6 and Yasser Mugerwa’s Nkumba (2013), I have struggled to find an entertainer with purpose until I landed on Emmanuel Kamya in the 2015 edition.
Give him an acre of space, he will execute the fancy dribbles spiced with the mesmerizing step overs and that wonder delivery for the strikers.
Should Kamya maintain the status quo, I envisage a Ugandan version of Brazil’s 2012 World Cup winner, Ronaldhino born in Kampala out of the famous University football league.
8 – Davis Mayanja (Makerere University)
Left footed midfielders in football are as rare as a rain storm in Hell. Mayanja has the swiftness and confidence to play the short crispy passes and eagle eye to execute that that diagonal defence splitter.
Mayanja is a wonderful dribbler of the ball who will penetrate even the meanest of all defences given space or not.
Perhaps, he needs to follow a strict training regime for power, stamina and endurance building.
Should the Electrical Engineering course accord him time to continue with football, Mayanja is a sure raw deal for Uganda’s football.
9 – Douglas Owori (Uganda Martyrs’ University Nkozi):
Owori is a diligent and intelligent forward.
He deservedly earns a slot on the team of best performers for his workholism.
A typical goal poacher with great movements on and off the ball.
10 – Joshua Lubwama (Makerere University):
Strikers are born to score goals of all types. Lubwama, brother to goal keeper, Ssebwalunyo is the mode.
Great positional sense and a fine shooter of the ball. He was top scorer of the league with eight goals to his name.
11 – Martin Sseruwagi (Nkumba University):
He is a diminutive bow-legged footballer. Mark the word – very intelligent with the ball on his feet.
The former KKL player is that orthodox and laid back dribbling left winger whose impact is easily envisaged after the damage has been inflicted, down and dusted.
A fine crosser of the curling ball though his racile temper, like many gifted left footed players needs to be put under check at all times.
Sseruwagi has a venomous shot, little wonder he was among the top scorers of the tournament.
A great talent indeed.
Best Coach: Charles Ayiekho Lukula
He is a great organiser and technically gifted to assemble the best crop with varying formations judging on the tide of the game.
Best fans: Makerere University
