Vipers’ Miya leads top stars

Miya has without doubt showed the will, hunger and ability to lead Vipers to their second title. Photo by Ismail Kezaala

What you need to know:

The 2014/15 Azam Uganda Premier League (UPL) season came to a close on Tuesday with Vipers being crowned champions after landing their second title in their decade-plus topflight history

KAMPALA. The 2014/15 Azam Uganda Premier League (UPL) season came to a close on Tuesday with Vipers being crowned champions after landing their second title in their decade-plus topflight history.
Coach Edward Golola’s men, who last won the championship in 2010, edged Bul 1-0 – Farouk Miya with the goal – to pip closest challengers SC Villa to the title by four points.
Vipers ended the campaign with 69 points and Villa on 65. Not even Villa winning the appeal against the two points they were docked would change the address of the title.
Rwenshama, Entebbe and Kira Young were relegated and have been replaced by promoted Maroons, The Saints and Jinja Municipal.
It has been a season characterised by inconsistency and the standards have been below par, to say the least.
But still, there are teams that played some enticing football. Below we pick our best 11 players (4-4-2) of the campaign.

Ismail Watenga (Vipers):
This was a tough one between league winner Ismail Watenga and Nicholas Ssebwato of Villa. Vipers conceded just 17 times, Watenga keeping clean sheets on 13 occasions. Ssebwato’s Villa conceded 18 times but the goalkeeper kept the same number of clean sheets as Watenga. But it is the several one-goal margin wins that Vipers clinched with Watenga making crucial saves that picks him out.

Dennis Okot (SCVU): In a season where Vipers Nicholas Wadada and Villa’s Isaac Muleme blew hot and cold, SC Victoria University’s Dennis Okot was just about the only good story from Morley Byekwaso side’s season.

Farouk Musisi (Lweza FC): This was the most entertaining full back position in the league with about three players staking claim. But we had to pick one, and Lweza’s left back Farouk Musisi edges it for his consistency. Exciting Vipers’ Dan Birikwalira and KCC’s Simon Namwanja were close.

Saddat Kyambadde (Police): His game reading skills and solid defending earned Kyambadde a call-up to the national U23 and the Chan teams. We can hardly object.

Timothy Awani (KCC): One of those split decisions and it had to go with the KCC acquisition from Kibuli SS. Awani’s game reading skills, calculated defending and knack for initiating attacks edges him above Ibrahim Kiyemba of Lweza.

Hakim Ssenkumba (KCC): Ssenkumba, together with Awani and a couple more, was one of the few good stories from KCC this season. He was the ever present figure in the middle of the park, always intercepting attacks as well as initiating them.

Keziron Kizito (Vipers): The best story of the campaign in that playmaker role. It would be foolhardy to anoint the under 23 star but Keziron Kizito’s game reading, passing rage and an eye for a pinpoint release have had the youngster heads and shoulders above the rest.

Farouk Miya (Vipers): Without a doubt fittingly named the league’s best footballer this season. No player has led by example as Miya, always digging deep when his mates have seemingly given up. His 11 goals, including about half a dozen winners, landed Vipers the title. Not your flashy type but his level headedness and work ethic will keep him up.

John Semazzi (Express): A bust of energy and lots of pace, Express’ Semazzi was a joy to watch in full flight, even more in one-on-one situations with defenders. He was one of the few good vibes from Wankulukuku. He can operate both on the right and left flanks.

Robert Ssentongo (URA): He does not need introduction, Ssentongo. He played catch-up with Police’s Umar Kasumba for the top scorer’s boot and finally eclipsed the Police striker on the final day in URA’s 2-1 win over Express. His 15 goals make him our marksman.

Umar Kasumba (Police): He was so distraught on the final day after missing out on the golden boot to Ssentongo by a goal that it took for his teammates to console him. Police had just lost 1-0 to Soana at Kavumba. But his goal scoring knack, netting 14 of Police’s 36, gives him licence to attack with Ssentongo.

Coach - Edward Golola (Vipers): He was named the Coach of the Season by the league organisers. We couldn’t agree more. Golola’s ability to handle youngsters – thanks to his connections with Vipers catchment in St Mary’s Kitende – and his desire to play enterprising football building from the back to front has seen him edge the rest.

Commendations: Nicholas Ssebwato (SC Villa), Erisa Ssekisambu (SC Villa), Patrick Ssembuya (Vipers SC), Dan Birikwalira (Vipers), Simon Namwanja (KCC), Ibrahim Kiyemba (Lweza), Willy Kavuma (Express), Yasser Mugerwa (SCVU/URA)

ROLL OF HONOURS
MVP: Farouk Miya (Vipers)
Best Coach: Edward Golola (Vipers)
Top Scorer: Robert Ssentongo (URA)

UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE

P W D L F A Pts
Vipers 30 20 9 1 43 17 69
SC Villa 30 19 8 3 50 18 65
KCC 30 16 6 8 42 21 54
URA 30 15 11 4 45 27 53
Bul 30 11 10 9 26 27 43
Police 30 11 7 12 36 29 40
Bright Stars 30 9 11 10 24 25 38
Express 30 11 5 14 28 31 38
SCVU 30 9 11 10 20 25 38
Lweza 30 10 7 13 28 32 37
Simba 30 10 7 13 22 27 37
Sadolin Paints 30 9 10 11 23 32 37
Soana 30 9 7 14 32 42 34
Kira Young 30 9 7 14 30 35 31
Rwenshama 30 6 4 20 28 55 22
Entebbe 30 3 6 21 12 51 15

Top scorers
Robert Ssentongo 15 (URA)
Umar Kasumba 14 (Police)
Miya Farouk 11 (Vipers)
Brian Nkuubi 10 (Kira Young).

Ugandan league winners since 1995

1995: Express
1996: Express
1997: KCC
1998: SC Villa
1999: SC Villa
2000: SC Villa
2001: SC Villa
2002: SC Villa
2003: SC Villa
2004: SC Villa
2005: Police
2006: URA
2007: URA
2008: KCC
2009: URA
2010: Bunnamwaya
(Now Vipers)
2011: URA
2012: Express
2013: KCC
2014: KCC
2015: Vipers