The Onduparaka pair of Muhammad Shaban and Rashid Toha are expected to play their first trial game today after landing a two-week invitation at ABSA premiership side SuperSport United.
The two players departed over the weekend for trials until July 28 with the South African Club following their impressive performances in the 2016/2017 Azam Uganda Premier League season. Shaban who has made steady progress since bursting onto the scene with the National Under-17 team in 2014, was the second highest scorer with 13 goals in his maiden season in the topflight league.
The lanky Toha meanwhile was the standout player in the team’s defense with his calming influence key to the Betway-sponsored team finishing fifth on the 16-team log. They have consequently been regularly summoned to the national team by coach Micho Sredojevic with the former also getting minutes at the Africa Cup of Nations early this year just days after winning the footballer of the year award. If all goes well, the pair would follow in the footsteps of Cranes midfielder Yassar Mugerwa who was also signed by current Supersport United coach and former Bafana Bafana midifelder Eric Tinkler while at Orlando Pirates in 2015.
The club which finished fifth in the previous ABSA premiership season has a history of signing Ugandan players with current Cranes goalkeeper Denis Onyango having cut his teeth at Matsatsansa. The three time league winners also had striker Brian Omony on their books in 2009.
Along with Denis Onyango’s Mamelodi Sundowns, Supersport are also still active on the continent having qualified for the quarterfinals of the Caf Confederation Cup where they play Zambia’s Zesco in September.