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Among players expected to light up the league are youngsters looking to leave a mark and establish themselves in Ugandan football circles.
With just hours left until the start of the new Startimes Uganda Premier League season, all teams are ready to challenge and hit their targets.
Whereas some teams look like favourites to be in the fight for the title, there are some whose realistic targets have to be fighting to maintain their status in the division at the end of the campaign.
Among players expected to light up the league are youngsters looking to leave a mark and establish themselves in Ugandan football circles.
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14:56 - 13.09.2023
FOOTBALL Top Six Ugandan players that have had failed stints in North Africa
Some of the best Ugandan talents have joined African Arab countries, including Morocco and Egypt, yet for some reason or the other, they almost always unprecedentedly return home.
But who are some of these young players expected to write their names in the history books of the league and Ugandan football as a whole? Pulse Sports takes a look at five technically gifted to look out for when the season kicks off.
Alpha Ssali
Son to renowned artist Moses Ssali alias Bebe Cool, Alpha Ssali will grab the headlines for whatever he does in the league. He joined Express FC from Proline and will have the opportunity to showcase his talent in the top flight for the first time.
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Ssali has joined the seven-time Uganda Premier League winners, Express, on a two-year contract.
The 19-year-old revealed at his unveiling that he is more comfortable as a winger and will be expected to be part of Express’ core in the coming season.
Abubakar Mayanja
Promoted from the KCCA FC Academy, Abubakar Mayanja has already become a darling at the MTN Omondi Stadium, with fans excited by his instincts in front of goal.
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The pint-sized striker scored twice as KCCA defeated Wakiso Giants 2-0 in the FUFA Super 8 Tournament quarter-final to announce his arrival on the big stage.
Head coach Sergio Traguil has already shown trust in the striker and will undoubtedly give him playing time as KCCA look to win their first title in five years.
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08:32 - 13.09.2023
FOOTBALL KCCA FC not ruling out Allan Okello return
Okello and Paradou have since agreed to have his contract terminated, and his next move remains a big topic of discussion in Ugandan football circles.
Marvin Nyanzi
The sleeky midfielder Marvin Nyanzi benefitted from the departure of Ibrahim Kasule to rise to the big stage at Wakiso Giants last season.
Going into his second top-flight season, Nyanzi will be a year more experienced and will be hoping to achieve more with the Purple Sharks.
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After impressing at Kajjansi United and Buddu Ssaza, Nyanzi took a step further by replicating his performances at Wakiso.
His fine pass to find striker Shariph Kimbowa in the Stanbic Uganda Cup remains one of the highlights of his first season.
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12:03 - 12.09.2023
FOOTBALL Wakiso Giants, 1XBet renew partnership for UGX 371 million
This partnership is not only a significant financial boost for Wakiso Giants but also a testament to the dedication of both the club and 1XBet in enhancing the growth and development of sports in Uganda.
The Purple Sharks finished eighth on the log with 36 points and will hope to better that, with Nyanzi as one of the key protagonists.
Anthony Emojong
KCCA FC fans are already in love with the young goalkeeper who impressed in preseason with his comfort on the ball and ability to find the right pass even under pressure.
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Whereas a goalkeeper’s first task is to keep the ball out of his net, modern-day football requires ball-playing custodians to initiate attacks and beat the press.
Emojong has those attributes and has shown glimpses of what to expect of him in his first season in the top flight.
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10:33 - 12.09.2023
OPINION Reasons why Ugandan coaches are not adequately prepared to lead the Uganda Cranes
A crucial question arises in the heart of Uganda's football community: Should local coaches be responsible for guiding the Uganda Cranes? It is a shared aspiration, but the practicality may need to align with our hopes.
It remains to be seen if he will be the club’s Number One ahead of the more experienced Derrick Ochan, but head coach Traguil has already shown his faith in Emojong.
Rogers Torach
The budding defender found himself central to Vipers’ title chase last season following injuries to the starting pair of Murushid Juuko and Livingstone Mulondo.
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The Uganda Hippos defender was thrown into the deep end after impressing at AFCON U-20 and partnered Hillary Mukundane for the larger part of the second round.
As Vipers look to go for a three-peat, Torach will be one of the players to keep an eye on. His aerial presence is one of the key attributes of his game.
Elvis Ngonde
The talented defensive midfielder started his career on the Busoga United junior team before earning a promotion to the senior team in 2021.
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He would later join Gadaffi FC for a year up to the end of 2022/23/season. He now joins SC Villa in his biggest move so far.
The youngster has also featured for St Mary’s SS, Kitende in USSA Football competitions and Uganda Cubs (U-17).
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11:51 - 13.09.2023
FOOTBALL SC Villa unveil Kiwanuka ahead of new UPL season
Kiwanuka now joins a Villa side that also features his former Proline teammate Ivan Bogere.
He will add his versatility to the Jogoos’ midfield as the club look to add silverware to their cabin this season.
Richard Okello
Having won the FUFA Juniors League with BUL FC, Richard Okello did enough to convince the powers that be at the club that he was good enough for the senior side.
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tOkello scored thirteen goals in eighteen matches as the junior team and was called up to the U-17 team AFCON.
He was also part of the BUL side that won the FUFA Super 8 Tournament recently and will be one of the players Abbey Bogere Kikomeko looks to in the fight for silverware.
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