Kyetume’s past will not hold them back

Safe gloves. Mutakubwa’s decision to commit with Kyetume is one of the glimmers of hope at the club. PHOTO/EDDIE CHICO

What you need to know:

  • Whispers on the corridors suggest that Kyetume’s team cohesion is under threat yet it is togetherness that helped the Mukono-based team survive last season.
  • The shadow of ‘second season syndrome’ hovers over Kyetume, who returned to the top flight last season after 35 years. It last played as Lufula, the CSR arm of the booming abattoir business in the area during the 1970s.

It will obviously note get any easier for Kyetume. Having finished 11th with 30 points in the truncated debut season because of the coronavirus disease, their second season could be more testing.

A ray of hope for the side nicknamed “The Slaughters” is that they signed a very experienced coach, Livingstone Mbabazi. The Cranes assistant coach is respected in football circles albeit his nomadic career. If he stays long enough, that is what Kyetume will need to have a stable season.

The shadow of what is known as the ‘second season syndrome’ is hovering over the club. Kyetume returned to the top flight last season after 35 years when it boomed as a corporate social responsibility arm of the booming abattoir in the area during the 1970s. It was then known as Lufula.
But a closer look reveals a tough season ahead.

First and foremost, Kyetume kept going last season because of tried and tested players like Robert Ssentongo, the club’s top scorer with eight league goals. Jonathan Mugabi was a pillar in defence alongside skipper Vincent Kayizzi, Isaac Kirabira, Patrick Ochan and Salim Sowedi.

Mbabazi decided to let go of 15 players, including Ssentongo, Mugabi, Ochan, Dennis Lubowa, Charles Musoke and Rahmatah Kagimu, among others.

However, Mbabazi is building a formidable team that should compete this season. Goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa, who earned five man-of-the-match accolades and his form saw him get a call-up to the Cranes squad, has stayed.

Mbabazi also ensured that workaholic midfielder Deo Iseja signed a two-year contract extension as well as forward Cephas Kambugu for continuity.
He also added new faces, including striker Ezra Bida and Muhammed Rashid from Onduparaka, midfielder Steven Kabuye from Mbarara City, defender Bernard Muwanga (Bright Stars) and Felix Okot (free agent). 

Other formidable additions are: Mustafa Mujuzi (on loan from Proline), youthful goalkeeper Derrick Were and midfield gem Kasozi Nicholas (KCCA).

Where will the goals come from?
You don’t have to be a tactical genius to see that if Kyetume are to fight out of trouble, they have got to hit the back of the net as often or even more than they play. But even last season did not come easy for Kyetume, who scored 24 goals in 25 games.

Early this week, Kyetume lost 2-0 to a local side in Lugazi during a trial game. The highlight of the loss was the lack of goals.

Whereas Bida has always been highly rated, the youngster does not have heaps of experience to lead the line regularly. With Ssentongo not in the picture, Kyetume will have to be patient with Baker Buyala, who is injured. 
Kambugu, who slaughtered Villa in the opening game of last season, will definitely pay the rewards later on. Without a proven striker to bang in the goals on a regular basis, Kyetume will be on clutches.

Money matters
Kyetume has had cases of delayed payments which could haunt their ambitions. Just last week, players went on a sit-down strike demanding their fees. 

Although this is unusual for a club that could go for up to four months without paying players, the early signs are not good. 

Defender Benon Tahomera has already cost the club an extra Shs5m after attempting to force his way to Express yet he looks likely to run down his contract.

With a couple of players unsettled, Mbabazi will have to depend on untested players to do the job.

The case of Ibrahim Kazindula, who was paid Shs2.7m for outstanding arrears following a Fufa committee decision, has not been unusual in Kyetume corridors.

An insider intimates that the team cohesion is under threat yet it is togetherness that helped the team to survive last season. They have no real star names and so their philosophy is based on their strength as a team unit.

Of course, it can be difficult to predict success or failure of a team in UPL but Kyetume have plenty to be positive about ahead of the 2018/19 campaign. 

They must not be complacent even as they are not as well-equipped as they could be to avoid the relegation mire.