Kasozi knocks Chandiga off the throne

Ceasar Chandiga has been the number one pool player in Uganda for the past two years, but a dismal performance this year combined with consistent performances from Joseph Kasozi have combined to turn the tables.

Joseph Kasozi's meteoric rise has seen him dethrone Caesar Chandiga from the top spot in the latest Pool Association of Uganda (PAU) rankings. Chandiga, the 2023 national champion and African Heyball ambassador, now finds himself in sixth position.

Kasozi, a key player for Roxberry in the national league, seized the opportunity to rise in the rankings while Chandiga was absent. He started the year strong, reaching the final of the PAU Grand Open, where he was narrowly defeated by Habib Ssebuguzi. This momentum carried over, culminating in a decisive victory over Chandiga in the Pool King finals held in Jinja in May.

With 38 points, Kasozi is better than National Open champion Mansoor Bwanika by 12 seeding points.

Commonly known as "Sharp Shooter", Kasozi’s dominance has solidified Roxberry's position as the top team in the country. Four of their players are ranked among the top eight: team captain Ibra Ssejjemba in third place, followed by Azali Lukomwa and Simon Lubuulwa in seventh and eighth positions, respectively.

'It just shows that we are a big team," Kasozi said.

Talking about individual targets this year, Kasozi said that his main focus is winning the National open. Kasozi was eliminated 8-2 by eventual winner Bwanika during the Lugogo Grand finale in November.

"I'm happy with my performance this year but I have a chance to make it even better," said Kasozi.

Best of the rest

A total of 321 men are eligible for ranking points, having competed in four individual tournaments: the Grand Open, Pool King, National Open, and End of Year Championship, as well as the National League.

The increasing prevalence of qualifiers in individual events is set to challenge several top players. National team captain Habib Ssebuguzi, who finished the year in ninth place, will need to navigate the qualifying rounds to secure his spot in the National Open Championship. Fellow national team member, Ian Kazibwe, also faces the same hurdle as he sits outside the automatic qualification spots.

Adding to this, African U23 champion Kenneth Odong (Upper Volta) finds himself ranked eleventh, highlighting the competitive nature of the rankings.

Rashid 'Dog City' Wagaba, the 2023 National Open finalist, is currently ranked 37th. His lower ranking can be attributed to his limited participation, having only competed in the National Open and the End of Year Championship.

Kisakye top

Marion Kisakye aka Ankah Sheila, who has had a run of her life, sits atop the ladies rankings with 49 points, 14 better than Rukia Naiga.

League leaders Mukono have three players in the top rankings with the others being Rashida Mutesi and Amina Faith Nganda.

The battle for automatic qualification spots in the National Open is set to be fierce, with 2018 national champion Ritah Nimusiima narrowly missing out.

Juliet Namuhanga of Silverbacks has made a significant leap in the rankings, securing sixth place after her impressive third-place finish in the recent National Open.

PAU 2024 rankings

Men

Joseph Kasozi (Roxberry) - 38.92

Mansoor Bwanika (Upper Volta) 26.58

Ibra Ssejjemba (Roxberry) - 26.42

Ibra Kayanja (Scrap Buyers) - 23.58

Glorious Ssenyonjo (Scrap Buyers) - 19.50

Ceasar Chandiga (Upper Volta) - 19.17

Azali Lukomwa (Roxberry) - 18.67

Simon Lubuulwa (Roxberry) - 16.33

Ladies

Marion Kisakye (Skin Samona) - 49.08

Rukia Naiga (Mukono) - 35.79

Rashida Mutesi (Mukono) - 27.58

Amina F. Nganda (Mukono) - 26.96

About Kasozi

Born: Oct 10, 1993

Place: Butale, Masaka

Parents: Richard Muwonge & Rose Namutebi

Current club: Roxberry

Former clubs: Rotex, Perfection, Scrap Yard, Scrap Buyers, Samona, Ntinda Giants and Mbale

Individual accolades: Christmas Cup (2018), Kampala Open (2017) PAU Grand Open (2023)