ISMAEL KIYONGA: My UPL Team of the Season 2023/24
The 2023/24 StarTimes Uganda Premier League came to conclusion on Saturday. Record winners SC Villa extended their record to 17 titles ending a 20-year wait without a league trophy in a race settled on the final match day. BUL finished second, Vipers third with newcomers Kitara in 4th place above 13-time winners KCCA in 5th. […] The post ISMAEL KIYONGA: My UPL Team of the Season 2023/24 appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
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The 2023/24 StarTimes Uganda Premier League came to conclusion on Saturday.
Record winners SC Villa extended their record to 17 titles ending a 20-year wait without a league trophy in a race settled on the final match day.
BUL finished second, Vipers third with newcomers Kitara in 4th place above 13-time winners KCCA in 5th.
At the bottom, Arua Hill was joined by two Jinja sides Busoga United and Gaddafi as they all returned to the Fufa Big League.
So which players stood out? Here is Ismael Kiyonga’s picks for the season’s best XI
GK: Crispus Kusiima (Kitara)
Despite Kitara conceding more goals than the top three and KCCA, Kusiima was calm and consistent and won them so many points with his performance.
He helped Kitara maintain the fifth best defence in the premier league
RB: Joseph Dhata (NEC)
Without doubt, NEC’s best player of the season. The South Sudan international deployed mainly as a wing back by Hussein Mbalangu scored six goals from his position and assisted several.
LB: Nicholas Mwere (BUL)
Defensively resolute and astute going forward is a true description of Mwere’s performance this season. The big left back beats KCCA’s Herbert Achai to the spot, his closest challenger along with Kitara’s Jasper Aheebwa.
CB: Kenneth Ssemakula (SC Villa)
Captain marvel. Played across the entire backline and also in midfield and was never disappointing. A true leader on and off the pitch and scored the goal that literally won Villa the title with a scorcher in the come from behind win over URA. He is one of the reasons Villa conceded the least number of goals – 19.
CB: Ronald Otti (BUL)
Colossus and as hard as a rock. Otti’s consistency explains why BUL had a better challenge of the title than last when they collapsed in the second round.
BUL has also scored the most goals from set pieces with Otti and Mwere at the end of things.
DM: Joel Sserujongi (KCCA)
A calm effect that makes KCCA tick and hold on to possession. Sserunjogi has been a one man attack breaking machine in the middle for the Kasasiro who never gives the ball away and is tactically and defensively nearly perfect.
CM: Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa)
Whereas Sserunjogi has been phenomenal, Ssekiganda has been arguably the most complete midfielder of the campaign. His ability to link defence with attack and also score important goals made the Jogoos a well-oiled machine.
The most consistent name on Dusan’s line up in the midfield that also has Misi Ssemugera, Umar Lutalo, Elvis Ngonde and even his skipper Ssemakula.
CAM: Jerome Kiirya (BUL)
The unsung hero of the BUL side that never gets the plaudits he deserves. Scored important goals, assisted a couple and a workaholic who plays with intelligence and smartness through the season.
LW: Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa)
The youngster took his game to a whole new level in the 2023/24 campaign carrying Villa on his back especially when games tended to turn out hard.
Kakande hasn’t only been creative with assists totally to 6 but also scored 10 goals – most of them point earning. No doubt amongst the nominees for the MVP of the season.
RW: Denis Omedi (Kitara)
His 14 goals is just 3 shy of the top scorer’s tally but he is not just about goals. Omedi is a complete forward who has been employed across the entire forward line by his coaches and looks brilliant anywhere he is fielded.
ST: Muhammad Shaban (KCCA)
Without his 17 goals, KCCA would surely not finish 5th after such a disastrous start to the campaign.
On top of that, his temperament this season has been kept in check and probably, it’s the maturity in his game that helped him finish top scorer and golden boot winner.
Head Coach: Dusan Stojanovic (SC Villa)
The Serbian cuts a calm demeanor on the touchline but its what his players exhibit on the pitch that tells his game knowledge. Villa has been the most exciting team to watch this season without doubt and Dusan’s hand in the team play was visible. The closest to challenge him is KCCA’s Abdallah Mubiru whose side equally played good football.
Honorable Mentions
Tom Ikara (BUL), Isaac Wagoina (Express), Hassan Ssenyonjo (Wakiso Giants), Ashraf Mugume (KCCA), Paddy Muhumuza (Kitara), Umar Lutalo (SC Villa), Nelson Ssenkatuka (Bright Stars), Usama Arafat, Ettien Katenga (KCCA), Arnold Odong (SC Villa), Allan Mugalu, Rashid Okocha (NEC), Peter Magambo (KCCA).
Most Valuable Player – A tough call amongst the three Villa players – Kakande, Ssemakula and Ssekiganda as well as Kitara’s Omedi but I pick the youngest – Patrick Kakande for his goal contribution to Villa’s cause to win the league.
The post ISMAEL KIYONGA: My UPL Team of the Season 2023/24 appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
