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Mukasa’s 45-goal haul that year remains a record in Ugandan foot- ball but despite the duo’s remarkable instinct in front of goal, they failed to stand the test of time at consistency at Villa Park.
Andrew ‘Fimbo’ Mukasa and Hassan Mubiru had been playing together for one season when their striking combo netted an unprecedented 72 goals in the 1999 top-flight season.
Mukasa’s 45-goal haul that year remains a record in Ugandan foot- ball but despite the duo’s remark- able instinct in front of goal, they failed to stand the test of time at consistency at Villa Park.
That is why they cannot fit in my SC Villa all-time best eleven, which is dominated by unheralded individuals from the golden 1980s generation.
Goalkeeper: EDWARD NASSAMBA
The late Nassamba was Villa’s unsung hero during his seven- year stint at Villa Park between 1983-1989. The soft-spoken custodian helped his club to win eight major titles including three league and Cup doubles plus the 1987 Cecafa club title.
What makes him an extraordinary stopper ahead of goalies such as Jamil Kasirye, Mike Mukasa, Livingston Kyobe and Fred Lukwago is solidity. He holds the record for the fewest goals conceded in a season (eight in 1988) as well as not being on the losing end of a domestic game for three seasons (1986-1988).
Right back: WILLIAM NKEMBA
He could execute all the defensive roles and was part of the watertight SC Villa defence of the most decorated SC Villa teams of the 1980s to mid-90s. He was a one-team player who joined Villa right from high school in 1984.
In his 10 years at the club as well as the national team, Nkemba is renowned for executing all defensive roles with ease and for also being one of the most disciplined players to ever grace the game. His efficiency and excellent game reading is a cut above the likes of John Jumba, Rajab Sekalye, Deo Serwadda and Andy Lule.
Left back: GOFFREY HIGENYI
Tenacity was the key attribute for this no-nonsense defender, who excelled as left full back as well as centre half. His hard tackles, overlaps, hard shots and long throw-ins were vital during Villa’s trophy-laden years in the 1980s and 1990s.
He wasn’t as gifted as Adam Semugabi, David Kyagulanyi or even Simon Ssemwogerere but his rugged determination and win-at- all-costs temperament makes him the standout at left back.
Centre back: PAUL HASULE
He is one of a handful of players who belong in the greatest-of-all- time debate. Having joined from Mbale Heroes in 1982, Hasule was converted from attacking midfield into defence to get the best out of his towering frame.
His versatility saw him play on the right full back, centre half and defensive midfield but he mas- tered the first two position at everyone’s satisfaction. He was the team’s engine for the eight years he was skipper, guiding the Jogoos to eleven major titles.
He retired in 1993 and returned to Villa Park in 1998 as coach, helping the club to six major titles. He died in 2004.
Centre back: GEORGE OTTO
He arrived in 1986 from army side Simba and during his four- year stint, he forged a telepathic understanding with Hasule that made Villa unbeatable. In fact, his return to Simba left a gaping hole in Villa’s once meanest defence.
Central midfield: MOSES NDAULA
The midfielder was the king- pin during the club’s promotional drive to the top-flight in 1978. His execution of dead balls was unmatched in the country and often came up with killer passes no one would anticipate as the club won the 1982 league title unbeaten.
He defected to Express in 1984 under controversial circumstances. His successors such as Twaha Kivumbi, Zaidi Tebazalwa and Paul Nkata became stars in their own right but cannot compare to Ndaula, whose influence turned Villa from an also-ran into the most powerful club in the country.
Central midfield: EDGAR WATSON
The retirement of the golden generation left a void in leader- ship but the recruitment of Wat- son from Miracle Centre in 1995 solved that puzzle. The lanky player played virtually all outfield positions but mainly excelled as a central midfielder.
His passing, game reading and leadership was excellent and this explains why he was handed the task of spearheading a new revolution in 1998. In the seven years as skipper, Villa won all there is domestically and in the Cecafa region.
Right midfield: RONNIE VUBYA
Dubbed ‘Sniper,’ Vubya is widely remembered as one of the complete players to grace the game and in his eight years at the club, the versatile midfielder was always a starter. He could play on either side of the wing, midfield or centre forward. His awesome combination with Magid Musisi evokes sweet memories in those who were old enough at the time.
Left midfield: SULA KATO
He initially arrived from Masaka Union in 1984 as the anointed replacement for his elder brother Ndaula. Then Villa coach David Otti straightaway drafted the teenager into the first team but with time, he settled for the left wing position. His dead-ball expertise greatly endeared him to the Villa Park faithful and won the nickname ‘corner specialist.’
He also scored quite a number of memorable winning goals, the peak of them being the winner against Sudan’s El Merreikh during the 1987 Cecafa Club Championship final.
Other left wingers such as Sunday Mokiri, Godffrey Kateregga, Alex Olum and Peter Nsaba did a commendable job but Kato towers above them for standing tall when the club needed him most.
Centre forward: STEVEN BOGERE
Bogere joined from Tobacco FC in 1988 as one of the hottest pros- pects. Apart from Phillip Omondi, I have not seen a skilled player with the ball like Bogere.
He was the kind who could single handedly lift the team from a hopeless situation to victory with a flick of the ball or a rampaging run through the opposition defence.
He was self-assured with a magic touch. Bogere could leave any defence beaten and score or pass to a teammate for the goal. Bogere quit Villa in 1991 to join Spear Mo- tors. He currently handles Buddu Ssaza team which reached this year’s final against Ssingo.
Centre forward: MAGID MUSISI
Arguably the greatest finisher in the history of Ugandan football, Musisi arrived at Villa Park in 1985 as an unknown package. But within a year, he had taken over as the club’s go-to man.
Musisi scored at will and emerged league top-scorer on four occasions. Only twice (1985 and 1991) did Villa end a season trophy-less during his tenure at Villa Park in which he won 10 major titles.
Coach: GEOFF HUDSON
He brought professionalism to the team when he was signed in 1988. He changed the team’s training regimen, making Villa a difficult side to match in stamina.
He guided the club to five league titles (including two doubles 1988 and 1989) and also led the side to the final of the 1991 Africa Club Championship (Now Caf Champions League). He left Villa in 1992.
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