KCCA’s journey back to the top

“Honestly, I think we had a good first round. We knew it wasn't going to be easy especially with the circumstances that befell the team,” interim coach Sharon Pajije told Score in an interview.

Pajije, who recently delivered a bouncing baby girl, took interim charge following head coach Shilla Omuriwe’s travel to Canada for the Women In Sport High-performance Pathway (WISH) program.

Omuriwe’s assistant Edward Bwengye also spent the larger part of the first round serving an internal suspension and this left a vacuum that Pajije had to fill despite being heavily pregnant.

“When I received a call from KCCA telling me to immediately take charge as head coach, a lot went through my mind, but well, it happened. We sat as a team, embraced our situation and chose to focus on the positive and how to push the team,” Pajije, a former libero in her playing days, revealed.  

With a team littered with experience, the job was made easier for the interim coach. Players like Margaret Namyalo, Eunice Amuron and Shamim Nalukabwe ensured the team was able to end the first bit of the campaign top of the log.

“Thankfully, the girls were all on board with me, and that's how we managed to stay focused and win all those games.”

Wake up call

For a team that defeated defending champions KCB-Nkumba, Sport-S and Ndejje, it was not expected that they would fall to newly promoted UPDF.

But the army side managed a shock 3-1 victory to take all three points.

“That loss to UPDF was an actual blessing in disguise as we were beginning to get complacent. They woke us up, and refocused us to achieve all we achieved in the first round,”

KCCA responded by winning their other matches to end the round with an 8-1 record and 23 points, one better than second-placed Sport-S.

The addition of middle blocker Agnes Akanyo to fill the void left by Zainah Kagoya proved to be huge for KCCA as the team’s net defence greatly improved.

Sandra Ikiring, the other middle blocker added from UCU Lady Doves, was also able to fit in quickly in the absence of Supernatural Mbakisimira, whose availability has been affected by a tricky work schedule.

Timely return

When Bwengye’s suspension came to an end, he was able to be on the touchline for the 3-0 win over KCB-Nkumba as Pajije took her maternity leave.

Joel Muhanguzi had assisted Pajije in Bwengye’s absence, becoming yet another voice on the touchline the players had to listen to.

Pajije said: “Thankfully, Eddie's suspension ended just on time and the team was happy to have him back. My utmost appreciation is to coach Joel Muhanguzi who accepted our request to come give a helping hand as I could not give my all with my condition.”

With all the league games streamed live through the Sport-S Volleyball Club YouTube channel, Omuriwe was able to follow online and advise where necessary.

The tactician, according to Pajije and the players, kept in touch and was able to pass on instructions even during matches by reaching out through WhatsApp.

Topping the log halfway through the regular season, however, is hardly significant, with an entire second round and playoffs to come before a champion is crowned.

Ndejje Elites’ unbeaten run came to an end in the finals last season as they fell 2-1 to eventual champions KCB-Nkumba despite brushing aside everyone in the regular season. 

The Kasasiro Girls will be hoping to start the second round the way they finished the first. The 2023 champions are expected to have Omuriwe back for the rest of the season.

The team is one of the Ugandan sides featuring in this year’s Kipchumba Karoli Eldoret International Volleyball Tournament in Kenya.

Pajije revealed: “With some additions to the team, we are hoping for a much better second round.”