The first half of the 2024/25 Uganda Premier League came to end on Tuesday with some exciting fixtures.
Defending champions SC Villa have fallen off considerably. Surprising NEC continues to defy expectations and are just one point behind league leaders Vipers SC while KCCA who started so brilliantly are now seven points adrift of the summit.
With over half of the campaign played, our Chief Football writer Ismael Kiyonga decided to pick a first half of the season team. We utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation and also picked a manager as well.
GK: Mutwalibi Mugolofa (KCCA)
Mugolofa has without doubt benefited from an imperious backline but when called in action, he has been formidable.
In some of the games like away to Police, Mbarara City, Bright Stars and even against URA on match day one, his saves won a point/s for the Kasasiro.
He leads the golden glove race with 8 clean sheets in 14 matches he featured in and hasn’t conceded more than once in a single match.
Defenders
RB: David Owori (SC Villa)
One of the most difficult decisions in the selecting the team as not so many right backs have been impressive.
But Owori has been brilliant providing the team leadership, defending astutely and also going forward, he has been decent and his combination with Hakim Kiwanuka has provided Villa with a very good outlet for goals.
LB: Derrick Ndahiro (Vipers SC)
After dislodging youngster Enock Luyima, Ndahiro is reborn and has been consistently the best in the position without doubt with only Gideon Odong (NEC), Express FC’s Wandera and James Mubezi (KCCA) coming close.
A menace going forward and defensively assured with composure and calmness.
CB: Mustafa Mujjuzi (KCCA)
Mujuzi has arguably been the most improved player in the premier league so far and he deserves all the credit.
He has been a colossus at the heart of KCCA backline and provided leadership as he captained the side. Played all minutes for the club.
CB: Hilary Mukundane (Vipers)
Another consistent performer at the heart of the backline for the table leaders. Like Mujuzi, his game has so much improved especially under John ‘Ayala’ Luyinda.
His partner Rogers Torach, SC Villa’s Arnold Odong and BUL’s Walter Ochora have also been outstanding.
Midfielders
DM: Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA)
The best in his position without a single doubt. He has carried off from where he left last season becoming a crucial part of KCCA engine room and his presence on the pitch makes the team tick.
SC Villa’s youngster Tony Atukunda, Express’ duo of Said Kyeyune and Emmanuel Wasswa and Bul’s Pascal Ngobi are close contenders.
CM: Enock Ssebagala (NEC)
What a revelation he has been and his performances have earned him a slot on the CHAN team.
Ssebagala has scored some crucial goals for the Bugolobi based side, won the ball back, played some cracking passes or dribbled forwards to relieve pressure.
Said Mayanja (KCCA), John Asiimwe (Express) and Karim Watambala (Vipers) come close but Ssebagala has shone brighter with more consistency.
CAM: Allan Okello (Vipers)
The undisputed Most Valuable Player of the first round. Okello is literally back to his best contributing goals; 11 and a couple of assists. Plenty have criticized Okello for inflating goal stats from the penalty spot but his all-round play has been brilliant.
The best attacking midfielder in the league by far and explains why he is back to the Uganda Cranes fold.
Forwards
RW: Paul Mucureezi (NEC)
Mucureezi has reinvented himself into the player who once made headlines at KCCA.
The winger cum forward has scored 6 goals and is his club’s leading goal scorer but besides the numbers, Mucureezi provides leadership and controls the pace of the game to aid NEC’s cause through his dribbling.
No surprise that he has been included on the provisional squad for Uganda Cranes’ CHAN team.
LW: Hakim Kiwanuka (SC Villa)
He won Villa last season’s title with a goal on the final day and carried on from where he left.
Kiwanuka’s game has improved so well in areas of decision making and it explains the goal involvement (5 goals, 3 assists) and has used his pace so well so far.
The performances got him a senior team call up, scored in the CHAN qualifier versus Burundi and has attracted a big money move to Rwanda giants APR as he nears a move away from Villa Park in this January window.
James Jarieko (NEC), Milton Karisa (Vipers), Ettiene Katenga (KCCA) and a couple of wingers have impressed but Kiwanuka is the undisputed pick.
CF: Isaac Ogwang (Police)
Arguably the best centre forward in the premier league at the moment in terms of execution of his role. His hold up play, ability to shoot and turn with instant pace has been a menace to the defences and no wonder, he is number one choice for position on the CHAN team.
URA’s Ivan Ahimbisibwe is the next in line alongside SC Villa’s Charles Lwanga but the latter is more suited to playing through the channels through the wings than being a centre forward.
Head Coach: Hussein Mbalangu (NEC)
A selection that can be summed up by one sentence. Hussein Mbalangu currently has NEC sitting second, just one point behind leaders Vipers and six above third placed KCCA.
Mbalangu has reminded everyone that he is a good manager than he is often given credit for because he has always managed poor funded teams.
His ability to improve several individuals and make smart signings has combined into NEC looking like a top-level force.
His team are defensively hard to penetrate (conceded just 9 goals, only KCCA has done better; 7), plays with freedom and are fit.
Disagree with his selections? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section
The post Ismael Kiyonga’s 1st Half Uganda Premier League Team of the 2024-25 season appeared first on Kawowo Sports.