Lwanga reckons football needs strong VEK again

SC Villa’s Elukana Nkugwa (R) tries to dribble past Express’ Henry Katongole (3) during the Bell Super League three years ago at Namboole. Photo by EDDIE CHICCO

What you need to know:

Soccer. While the recent deal between Fufa Limited and USLL is a welcome development, it leaves a lot to be desired when it leaves a few issues like Maroons’ fate unaddressed. A court case in which USLL are contesting Fufa Ltd’s legality is also pending.

KAMPALA.

Once upon a time a football match involving any of the trio - SC Villa, Express and KCC (VEK) chorused talk of the town.

Today, if one shirt number is not shared by five players or so in the same game, Villa and Express are struggling to find the right one.
Such is the state of the game thanks largely to wrangles that have characterised football in a country that once reveled in it.

But with some sort of truce being reached between warring Fufa Limited and Uganda Super League Limited (USLL) over the running and commercialisation of the toptier competition, which – according to the pact between the two – will be called the Uganda Premier League starting 2014/15, Cranes legend Tom Lwanga is optimistic.

“Bravo to Magogo (Moses, the Fufa president) and Kabenge (Kavuma, USL chairman) for dropping their egos and talking,” said Lwanga, who formed part of Uganda’s defence as the Cranes put up an unforgettable run at the 1978 Afcon, losing to hosts Ghana 2-0 in the final.

Strong competition
“If we have strong league, Fufa, USL, the fans and government all working towards the betterment of our game why don’t we really qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations?” added the KCC great.

“And for that to happen we need to have KCC, Villa and Express again. For me those are the clubs with fan bases. Now Villa and Express are divided. “The good thing is for us KCC we never got divided when these wrangles broke out. It’s our responsibility to help Express and Villa in whichever way we can to unite again.”

Fufa and USL have endured an acrimonious relationship over the running of Uganda’s topflight league since the end of the 2011/12 season, which saw the former form a break-away Fufa Super League. This was followed by the two engaging in running court battles. However, last weekend the pair issued a joint statement agreeing to work together again starting with the 2014/15 Uganda Premier League (UPL) season.