There’s something good happening in the league
The madness returned in earnest. In typically revolting fashion, Express fans returned hooliganism to our game by hurling Namboole seats in the direction of the field.
They had been dismayed by the actions of the ‘silly’ SC Villa attacker Vitalis Tabu, who celebrated before Red Eagles fans and showed them the middle finger in the late stages of the famous Kampala derby which ended 3-2 for the Jogoo.
Three days later, there was a scuffle at the main gate of the Philip Omondi Stadium in Lugogo as fans forcefully tried to access the stadium in time for the KCCA- SC Villa kick-off.
Some were disheartened and left without watching the game while the battle-hardened ones braved the ‘madness’ at the gate and fought their way through.
Those unfortunate incidents at two of the biggest matches on the local soccer calendar are actually evidence that something good is being brewed in the Azam Uganda Premier League (AUPL).
It is a credit to Fufa and management of the Uganda Premier League (UPL) that an environment of sanity does finally exist in our game.
It is not a coincidence that companies like DStv, Azam, Star Times, Betway, Lato Milk and Hima Cement have sunk billions to become associated with the league.
Naturally more companies will want to buy a piece of the cake that is the UPL.
While the shame of hurling missiles and seats at Namboole by Express fans cannot be condoned, it did show that the old fires in the rivalry with SC Villa have never burned out.
The Red Eagles, energised by the DStv deal perhaps, had played their part in a thrilling showdown and were always going to be disappointed by a 3-2 reverse to Villa.
At Lugogo on Tuesday, KCCA management were faced with their biggest task this season – a situation where demand outstripped supply for match tickets.
The match had been hyped as a potential title decider and fans descended on Lugogo in huge numbers as early as 3pm.
It was not a surprise when a scuffle ensued as kick-off time neared.
Those with brave hearts muscled their way. Others went home.
Superb goals
The match ended 3-1 and featured superb goals from the KCCA pair of Paul Mucureezi and Derrick Nsibambi. In three days, the two biggest derbies in Ugandan football had produced nine goals.
We have already witnessed Onduparaka’s 2-1 upset of KCCA in Arua.
The new entrants also stunned SC Villa 4-3, prompting club president Ben Misagga to part ways with coach Deo Sserwadda. And who can forget the 3-3 between Proline and Lweza?
There is the curious case of Proline, who have played to nine stalemates and continue to prove they are hard to beat if not too shy to win. There have been some terrific individual displays such as the finishing masterclass of the evergreen Geoffrey Sserunkuma, the mercurial midfield craft of Saddam Ibrahim Juma and the resolute Timothy Awany.
And very crucially, we the journalists are beginning to focus on the people who matter – the players, coaches and technical people.
With every passing day less emphasis is being put on the men in suits.
Increasingly players like Onduparaka’s Mohammed Shaban are learning that the limelight is theirs provided they make a name for themselves on the pitch.
The coaches, meanwhile, have left no stone unturned in their quest to get the appropriate qualifications for the job.
The era of masqueraders sitting on the bench is fittingly gone.
It also helps that a good number of players are taking to the field in the AUPL knowing there is a chance of making the final 23-man squad that will represent the country at the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon next year.
Now, it is also true that there are areas where club chairmen are at loggerheads with Fufa.
But it does not take away that fact that there is – after a long while - a product to be proud of in the UPL.
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