Pepsi University Football League: ‘Strikers Still In Incubators Maybe’, Kayiira Jackson Best XI
Kayiira Jackson who has been following the league from day one has come up with his best eleven in a 4:3:3 formation.
By: kayiirajackson@gmail.com
The 11th edition of Pepsi University Football League has climaxed over the weekend at Phillip Omondi Stadium Lugogo with Nkumba University comfortably beat Uganda Christian University 3-1 to lift their maiden title.
For starters, Nkumba’s goals were scored by Ismeal Lubega, Ssebadduka Kennedy and Isaac Musuga while the only consolation for UCU was netted by their left back Ssewanyana Sharif.
The league that started in September last year has had a number good goals, wonderful displays and exposed a number of players who might be Stars in future like we have seen the likes of Yasser Mugerwa, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Denis Guma, Brian Umony, Titus Ssematimba, Owen Baba Kasule, Saturo Edward, Were Derrick, to mention but a few.
In this year’s edition, the midfield players, and defenders outshined the forwards.
Kayiira Jackson who has been following the league from day one has come up with his best eleven in a 4:3:3 formation.
Goalkeeper: He is the reason as to why Nkumba University got back to life in the last three games of the group stage, Obwana John Andrew, he is not that much talented like we saw the likes of Okoboi Sadam of UMU, Wesonga John Collins of UCU or Kalungi of Bugema University but he has had a perfect performance in all fixtures he featured to the final day, he made outstanding saves that saw Nkumba lifting the title for the first time since 2012.
Right back: According to me, the best right back of the season has been Thomas Lasu of Makerere University Business School, he did help the team both upfront and back, actually he finished the season as their top scorer with four goals.
However, Kayondo Joseph of UMU, Kalule Lukman of Nkumba and David Lukisi of St Lawrence University were also outstanding this season.
Left back: Ismeal Lubega has been exceptional from day one, his composer, game reading, scoring important goals for the team especially at the knockout stage, makes him the best left back of the season beating off the competition from Ssewanyana Sharif of UCU.
Centre back: Arijole Godfrey of UCU, the towering centre back had a good season, he has been good both on ground and in the air, no centre back in the league that made the most clearance and won the aerial duels more than him, no wonder he brought his team, UCU to the final.
Centre back: Nsubuga Benjamin, this boy from Kampala University also had a great season, he expressed his leadership skills on the pitch, the game management, save the worst day the team had against St Lawrence at Luzira Prison where they lost 5-2, this boy his been outstanding. He deserves to partner Arijole in the Central defense of my team.
Central Midfielder: It’s very rare in Uganda to have a central midfield, those we call ‘six’ who can give the defense cover, engineer the attacks and even reserve time to score. Kyomuhendo Peter Peter of UCU expressed all those qualities from the group stage. Him and Musuga Isaac of Nkumba and another player who tried to do so was Male Joseph of Bugema University.
Attacking midfield: Ssewankambo John Kennedy, the winning captain, he has all the qualities of a midfielder, he has no numbers in scoring like we saw Gagganga Geofrey, Ssentongo Akbar but he has been a player covering a big distance, and he has been the player with the most dribbles this season.
Attacking midfield: Gagganga Geofrey, to me he is the MVP of the season, he defended well, he scored six goals, he is a total baller, it’s only on the final when he didn’t shine well. And to me he scored the best goal of the season, that ton the net in UCU’s 7-1 victory against Busitema University.
The three forwards:
Sudir Bin Saidi: This MUBS left footed winger, apart from Lasu Thomas, Sudhir has been the most exceptional player in the Nakawa based side, even when MUBS was down, Sudhir stood tall. The best left footed player of the season.
Ssentongo Akbar: He finished as the top scorer of the season with nine goals, for starters, he scored all those goals from midfield. Though his team, UMU stopped at quarters.
Isaac Ofoyrwoth: the UCU speed merchant, he scored the important goal against MUBS that propelled his side to final, he scored five goals in the tournament, him and Isaac Ssenyunja of Bugema University and Irivia Mamur are the only forwards who reached five goals.
Coach: Dr. Bbosa Sulaiman, the man outsmarted the best coaches of the league from Eric Kisuze of Uganda Martyrs University, Kampala University’s Vincent Tumusiime and UCU’S Jimmy Kintu to finally win the title.
Honorable mentions: Wesonga John Collins (UCU goalkeeper), Kayondo Joseph (UMU right back), Musuga Isaac (Nkumba University midfielder), Kassaga Sadat (Makerere University forward), Kalule Lukman (Nkumba University right back), Ndase Tony (Kampala University midfielder) and Ssewanyana Sharif (UCU left back).