Paidha star warns of underdog might in debut season

KAMPALA. Paidha Black Angels make a bow in Uganda’s top flight league having gone about their transfer dealings rather quietly.
Together with Ndejje University Football Club and Nyamityobora, the trio won plaudits to the top tier competition from the usually difficult-to-navigate Big League.
This is the same club that made the final of the 2017 Uganda Cup, yet they are still viewed as one of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League (SUPL) tourists. Paidha, another pride of West Nile after Onduparaka’s heroics in the last couple of years, are warning all that care to listen that they will not be a punching bag.
“We have been seeing, reading and watching people say we shall be relegated,” said Paidha star Crommel Rwothomio, who has been at the club for the last four years.
“... that we are not good enough and have been quiet in the market. For us we know ourselves. We are going to disprove them. “People forget we were in the Uganda Cup final just the other day. All I can say is that we are here to stay.” Rwothomio, who started his career at lower division team Pakwach Youngsters, believes their strength is in the unit.
“We are all players at about the same level but we also have players with experience.” Actually, Paidha - who play their first matches at Onduparaka’s Green Light Stadium as their Bar Okoro is getting a facelift, have not been as quiet as they’ve seemed.
They have brought in some tested legs in Tooro United’s (former Soana) Pate Wanok Part, Julius Malingumu from relegated UPDF and Nigerian duo of Samson Ogunyombo and Idris Salami (Prince FC, Nigeria), although the latter’s paper work was still yet to be completed by press time.
They have also maintained the bulk of players that helped promote the team, letting go of only Stephen Odong (Nyamitobora) and Male Nsereko (Ndejje University FC).

Onduparaka inspiration
Juda Mugalu, Yusuf Ssozi and Arua Patrick are some of the other players to watch for Paidha. But more than all, Paidha are inspired by Onduparaka, who took the country by storm - reaching the Uganda Cup final the same year they got promoted. Onduparaka have since finished fifth and fourth in their respective first two seasons in the league.
“This being our debut season in the top flight, we understand why people look at us as underdogs,” explained Rwothomio.
“But our brothers Onduparaka did it and even exceeded expectations. So we are inspired by them and we are following in their footsfootsteps.”
Good with both his feet, Rwothomio can operate on either wing sufficiently.
His coach Kiseka Mohammad will hope those feet help keep his side up.

PAIDHA BLACK ANGELS

Founded: 1979
Home ground: Bar Okoro Stadium
Club chairperson: Jalar Sunday
CEO: Komakech Sam
Head coach: Kiseka Mohammad
Assistant coach: Richard Tamale
Goalkeeping coach: Frank Sebagala
Other coaching staff: Mike Oloya
Team doctor: Sam Bill Okello
Club captain: Bithum Francis Otim