History beckons for hopefuls

Favourites. (L-R) Vianey Sekajugo, Ruth Aturo and Mike Mutebi are fancied to be crowned the best in their categories at Speke Resort Munyonyo. PHOTOS BY JOHN BATANUDDE

What you need to know:

  • Soccer. The much awaited Fufa football awards take centre stage tonight as the best talent is honoured at Speke Resort Munyonyo

KAMPALA. All the three contenders of the Airtel-Fufa best male player of the year award have one thing in common – few expected them to be on this final shortlist.
With the Airtel-Fufa awards now merged with the Uganda Premier awards, the federation maintains many aspects were considered by the 16 league coaches while coming up with the three-man shortlist.
Onduparaka livewire Viane Sekajugo, who netted eight goals as the Caterpillars finished fourth and guided Buganda to the inaugural Fufa Drum tourney, believes he is here by merit and is ready seize his moment.
“I have already achieved by making the shortlist but I’m a man who wants to complete each target. I think I have done enough to win the car prize,” Sekajugo told Daily Monitor yesterday.
His main worry is not challengers; Moses Waiswa or Allan Okello, but whether he would be granted permission today to attend the awards this evening at Speke Resort Munyonyo yet the Caterpillars face Paidha Black Angels in the fierce ‘West Nile derby’ tomorrow in Arua.
Sekajugo is hoping to ride on the West Nile SMS support that ‘aided’ Muhammad Shaban to defeat fans’ favourite Denis Onyango back in 2016 – and that is where he has mobilized most.
Waiswa, on the other hand believes the amalgamation of his Vipers league winning exploits and the recent Cranes performance will be enough to outdo his competitors.
“I think Okello is the closest challenger. I feel motivated because I’m the fourth Venom (Vipers player) to be nominated and guess what; we have mobilised fans well to vote,” he said. These awards have served enough surprises in the last two editions; former KCCA striker Geoffrey Sserunkuma, the odds-on favourite to win after a 21-goal spree in the league, losing to Muzamir Mutyaba which should serve to give each of the three contenders a glimmer of hope.
For being part of the KCCA side that won the Uganda Cup and strolled to the Caf Champions League group stages, Okello will be hoping Lady Luck smiles his way.
“Many fans have voted for me and I think I’m going to win. I did a lot for KCCA and U-23 last season and I believe I can do what Mutyaba did last time,” Okello told Daily Monitor.