The wait for the much anticipated season is over as the Azam Uganda Premier League kicks-off at six different grounds on Tuesday. Last season’s surprise package Onduparaka open their campaign against Proline in front of their green faithful at the Betway Green Light Stadium in Arua. Fifth with 45 points in their maiden top-flight season, Onduparaka underwent an overhaul with eight new players and 11 departures from their 37-man squad.
On paper, coaches Livingstone Mbabazi and Leo Adraa have opted for more experience into the squad and that should offer a new gear beginning with Proline. “We are now set after preparation over the last four weeks,” Adraa said at the pre-match press conference on Monday. “Last season, people did not know us. They kept saying we come from the village. Things will be different but we are ready.” New signings like Allan Busobozi, Karim Ndugwa, goal keeper Nicholas Sebwato and Rashid Okocha were unveiled during the fans’ day celebration in Arua on Saturday. “You sign a player according to what to you have. The only challenge to the technical bench is who to start. We mixed the new with the old players to see how it works out.”
Striker Muhammad Shaban and Rashid Toha have stayed at the club and Shaban, scorer of 13 goals last season, will be tasked to deliver yet again with support from Kabon Livin, Gadhaffi Anguzu, Ceaser Okhuti, Ndugwa and Busobozi. “We have to fight for our positions at the club,” Busobozi said. “I am ready to use this chance.” There is change in captaincy with Toha taking over from Shaban. “I was born a leader,” said the lanky defender who captained six matches last season. “It is about the leadership in you not the armband.” Visitors Proline have lost key players like Yusuf Mukisa to Bul, Nelson Ssenkatuka to Bright Stars and Gift Ali to Police.
The Lugogo-based side will have its work cut out as a venue where Onduparaka did not lose a single match last season. They are actually yet to lose there since inception in October 2011. Last season, Proline led through Edirisa Lubega but Rashid Agau restored parity. Onduparaka won eight and drew seven ties in Arua last season. Meanwhile, champions KCCA will open their account against new comers Maroons, just two days after lifting the Fufa Super Cup title. Goals from Patrick Kaddu, Allan Okello and Tito Okello gave KCCA their second straight Super Cup gong at Wankulukuku.
And coach Mike Mutebi, who has already cited four potential rivals, hopes Kaddu, who struck 16 times in the Fufa Big League last season, can equally get off the mark against his former employers. Last season’s runners-up SC Villa host Soana in Masaka while new-look Vipers travel away to Bright Stars in Mwererwe. “Personally, I have not lost to Vipers and Lawrence Mulindwa, Nicholas Wadada and Ismail Watenga know that,” Bright Stars coach Fred Kajoba said.
Vipers coach Jorge da Costa has bolstered his midfield with former Villa captain Taddeo Lwanga and Tom Masiko who left KCCA for a reported $20000. URA, who unveiled ten players including Brian Majwega on a one-year loan deal from KCCA, trust Namboole could deliver the magic when they face revamped UPDF on Wednesday.
AZAM UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE
MATCH DAY 1
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
4pm: SC Villa vs. Soana, Masaka (LIVE ON AZAM TV)
4:30pm: Bright Stars vs. Vipers, Mwererwe
4:30pm: Bul vs. Mbarara City, Kakindu
4:30pm: KCCA vs.Maroons, Lugogo
4:30pm: Masavu vs. Police, Entebbe
4:30pm: Onduparaka vs. Proline, Arua
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
4pm: URA vs. UPDF, Namboole (LIVE ON AZAM TV)
4:30pm: Express vs. Kirinya-Jinja SSS, Wankulukuku
This writer is a scribe with Daily Monitor Newspaper and, also a sports presenter with NBS Television and Radio One FM 90 in Kampala. Follow him on Twitter: @AllanDarren and his Facebook Page: Darren Allan Kyeyune