Kamugisha leading with goals in Fufa Big League

Nyamityobora have surprised many followers of the Fufa Big League but away from Richard Makumbis’ pragmatic approach, the Abanyakare captain Clinton Kamugisha has caught the eye of admirers and with the youngster leading the scoring charts, it might not be the last we have heard of the 21-year-old.

In the Fufa Big League, the second tier of Uganda’s football pyramid, they don’t buy accomplished players, they make them. This is simply the belief because most clubs are broke. Thus they end up employing young players, the veterans or those seeking to make a point.

The truth behind the cliché is that head coach Richard Makumbi did not sign any established stars at the club when he joined from Kiboga Young (now Mbale Heroes).
It was also unlikely because of the bleak financial status of the club.

Enter Kamugisha
Introduced to the squad to which he was a member before Mbarara City and Wakiso Giants took him away, Clinton Kamugisha has caught the eye.
A typical midfielder, his raw pace has seen him run behind the enemy lines and helped himself with goals including a hat-trick and two braces.

Kamugisha’s composure and finishing have left something to be desired.
His youth coach Salim Blanden, who brought him to the fore alongside KCCA forward Brian Aheebwa from Mbarara Soccer Academy, says there is still a lot of room for Kamugisha to develop.

“He is an intelligent young player and the fact that he is scoring goals is a great compliment” Blanden said.
The cherry on the cake is that Kamugisha has played in the Premier League before, having been part of Wakiso Giants as they sought promotion to the top flight, two seasons ago.

His versatility also enhances his potential appeal to top sides.
KCCA coach Morley Byekwaso is rumoured to be interested in the youngster and it would not be a great surprise to see him move to Lugogo.

Hoping to impress
Kamugisha admits that he will go into the next phase of his career with optimism. He says that a place on the national team is also within touching distance.
“I have been invited to the national U20 team previously but I did not make the squad. It is now up to me to work hard to make it,” he said.

His star did not shine when he played with Ryakasinga CHE in the Copa Coca-Cola Schools Cup in 2014, but he went ahead to impress at Nyamityobora in his first stint.

“I am at the age where I will have to give everything such that I give national team coaches a reason to select me. Playing for the national team is still top of my agenda,” he said.

Last season, Kamugisha rarely played as Wakiso Giants and Nyamityobora were pulling ropes over his signature. He was thus rewarded with three goals. At Wakiso Giants, he scored just once.

“It is different when you are starting out. I have learnt that the higher the level, the harder you work,” he says.
His goals have been a blessing to a side that is missing Ivan Ahimbisibwe with an injury.
Makumbi employs Gerald Kimuli as a lone striker with three midfielders offering support.
At the beginning of the season, Kamugisha set a target of eight goals and he is happy to have surpassed his mark.

“Of course, the target now is to help Nyamityobora into the Premier League. I am not surprised about my form but earning promotion would be the best feeling for me,” he says.
Nyamityobora will seek qualification to the Premier League through the play-offs as Tooro United secured the automatic place in the Rwenzori Group.

Profile
Name: Clinton Kamugisha
Date of birth: Nov 20, 1999
Place of birth: Mbarara
Position: Midfielder
Clubs
2016-17 - Nyamityobora
2018 - Mbarara City
2018- 2019 - Wakiso Giants
2020 to-date - Nyamityobora.

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