Zaga, Orit exit as Vipers releases eight stars in sweep

Zaga in action for Vipers last season|Vipers SC image

FOOTBALL Zaga, Orit exit as Vipers releases eight stars in sweep

Allan Damba 09:32 - 14.06.2023

In a bid to make early preparations for the 2023/24 season, Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC have started by a cleanup before allowing in any new arrivals.

Eight players have officially left Kitende, as both the club and the players mutually agreed on not making contract renewals.

Left-back Disan Galiwango, Frank 'Zaga' Tumwesigye, Ibrahim Orit, Bashir Asiku, Musa Ssali, Olivier Osomba, Garcia Mpongo and Serge Robert Mwenge are now free agents.

Zaga, who is a product of the team's feeder side, St Mary's Secondary School (SMASK), leaves a three-time Uganda Premier League champion, across two spells.

He won his first in the 2019/20 campaign in his first spell at the club, returned in 2021/22 from Police FC and won it again, before helping Vipers defend it last season. He leaves a Uganda Cup winner as well.

Meanwhile winger Ibrahim Orit, who joined the Venoms from Mbarara City FC at the start of the 2020/21 campaign, leaves a two-time league and Uganda Cup winner.

Domestic double winner Orit is now a free agent|Vipers image

Galiwango departs after three seasons with the Venoms, having joined from Express FC at the start of the 2020/21 season.

He helped Vipers to two Uganda Premier League titles in 2021/22 and 2022/23 and just as many Uganda Cups.

Disan Galiwango in a recent training session for Vipers (Vipers SC)

Defender Asiku, who is a graduate from SMASK, leaves with three league medals and two Uganda Cups.

It will be the first time in his senior career that he plays for a different team other than Vipers.

On the other hand, Ssali, who joined the Venoms from Maroons FC in the 2020/21 season leaves with two league medals and just as many Uganda Cups.

Congolese midfielder, who joined Vipers at the start of last season, was limited by injuries and competition, but will smile home to a domestic double.

The same can be said of his country-mates Mpongo and Mwenge, who both joined last season, failed to impress, but got winners' medals in both the league and Uganda Cup.

It should be noted that each of the eight played a part in Vipers' first ever involvement in the CAF Champions League group stages, despite finishing bottom with two points.