There are players world over whose careers would have panned out differently if they stayed fit.
From Abou Diaby to Eden Hazzard, Jack Welshire, Santi Carzola and even the Great Ronaldo Da Lima.
To some, the career ends up being totally ruined, for others, the full potential remains unreached and there’s nothing bitter than seeing a truly exceptional talent sidelined by injury and we have had many of them in Uganda.
Here, we take a look at some of the big Ugandan talents whose progress has been hindered by fitness problems and surely prevented the would be stars from realizing full potential
Gift Ali
When he became the youngest ever captain in the Premier League at just 16, Gift Ali was tagged as the next big thing in Ugandan football.
However, an injury suffered on national duty as the Cranes were readying for the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup in 2009 turned changed almost everything.
Although he went on to play for the U-20 and had put good performances at Proline, KCCA and Police when fit, he inconsistently missed so many games through fitness issues.
Fortunately, he is back to full fitness and recently joined Tanzania’s Coastal Union.
We can only imagine how far he would be now if he stayed fit during his prime age but it is not too late.
Jackson Nunda
Dubbed the heir to the magician Jamil Kyambadde (RIP), Nunda is a joy to watch when fit.
However, since his days at Villa as a teen when Mike Mutebi signed him in the early 2010s, he has never fulfilled his potential as his knees usually give away after 2-3 games.
Under Mutebi at KCCA, Nunda tried to stay fit but only for a few games and has never played an entire campaign injury free.
Mike Sserumaga
One of the most intelligent playmakers Ugandan football has produced. Sserumaga was on the books of Sweden’s Helsingborg when he a suffered a career threatening injury during off season and he was never the same.
Ibrahim Saddam Juma
Arguably the most intelligent player of his generation but a persistent knee injury sent him into early retirement.
It is hard to remember a Saddam Juma enjoying a full campaign fully fit but whenever he played, he made strong impact for his teams.
He is currently in China with the Juventus Academy imparting knowledge to the next generation and perhaps creating another Sadam Juma who will be lucky to stay fit.
Richard Malinga
Malinga was a modern day roving right back in the early 2000s when he played for KCCA.
His consistency and class forced the Express FC chairman Godfrey Kirumira to lure him to Wankulukuku for hefty fees but while featuring for the Red Eagles, he suffered a nasty injury that literally ended his career.
Despite returning after recovery, he was never the same and saw his position on the national team taken by Simeon Masaba.
Julius Poloto
One of the members of the 2017 KCCA academy class that also produced Mustafa Kizza, Allan Okello, Lawrence Bukenya and the likes but persistent injuries have failed him realize full potential.
Hassan Wasswa Dazo
Following his classic performances with Express, KCCA under Mike Mutebi signed him.
He did well and also earned a place on the national CHAN team but a knee injury saw him lose place.
Even after surgery, Dazo never regained his A game even when he joined Wakiso Giants and has literally retired at a young age.
Ayub Kisaliita
Until his knee injury that became persistent, Kisaliita was arguably Uganda’s most utility player playing almost everywhere on the pitch.
Kisaliita could play right back, centre back, defensive midfield and also in attacking midfield.
After stints at Express (twice), Bunamwaya (now Vipers), SC Villa (twice) and Wakiso Giants as well as all under age national teams, Kisaliita’s last competitive game came in a 1-1 draw with Vipers where he forced a red card against Fahad Bayo with a clever play.
John Revita
Dubbed the next Ibrahim Ssekagya, Revita awed football fanatics with his calm style of play from the back.
The modern-day centre back moved to KCCA from Express and instantly became a hit and also got national team call ups and was part of Abdallah Mubiru/Johnathan McKinstry side that lifted the Senior Challenge Cup at Lugogo.
However, a knee injury that needed surgery seems to have literally ended his career
Ismail Mugulusi
He was described as the best of the current generation when SC Villa and KCCA scrambled for his signature while at Busoga United.
Despite Villa winning the battle, Mugulusi never got the chance to don the famous blue as he sat out a full year through injury that later needed surgery.
Although he got fit again and still has good years ahead of him, his progress has surely been hampered.
Savio Kabugo
Kabugo announced himself on the big stage with that header against Ghana at Namboole.
The big centre back who has played in DR Congo for AS Vita, SC VU, Proline, KCCA and Lugazi among others in the country, his career suffered a setback due to persistent injuries.
Tom Masiko
A persistent knee injury means the football world has not got a chance to see a midfielder with intelligence, brilliant shot and understanding of the game that Masiko, a son to KCCA legend Charles Baker Masiko has.
Yusuf Ssozi
Under Abdallah Mubiru at Police, a gem in Yusuf Ssozi was discovered. The box to box midfield gem made those around him tick with his intelligent play but a persistent injury that required surgery literally sent him into early retirement.
Joseph Bukenya Kizza
When he broke through at the famous KCCA youth system, Bukenya got all the plaudits for his skill, trickery and ball usage as a teenager.
At one time in the Fufa Juniors League, Bukenya was involved in 18 goals in just nine games.
He played for the national under age teams but a nagging knee injury literally forced him into retirement before he could even show his talent in the A team where he had made a debut under Mike Mutebi.
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