Onduparaka FC’s promotion, KCCA FC’s dominance and Vipers’ unexpected title challenges have shaken things up at the top of the Uganda Premier League table – and they’ve had a big impact on the Airtel FUFA Awards too.
It was such a surprise for Uganda’s first winner of the coveted African Champions League, Denis Onyango and Uganda’s golden boy Faruku Miya – scored the lone goal against Comoros to return The Cranes to the African Cup of Nations after a 39 year wait not to win footballer of the year, instead, a young man from an upcountry team came out in force.
The crème-dela-crème of Ugandan football made a quick getaway after weeks of inactivity due to the international break to head to the glitzy bash at Kampala’s Speke Resort Munyonyo Hotel.
But there was no night out for SC Villa players, a day upon return from their Vietnam touras their coach Shafik Bisaso told them to stay home and focus on preparing for the highly anticipated league fixture against giants Vipers on Saturday that the Uganda Premier League Secretariat has refused to reschedule.
Onduparaka, KCCA picked up the top prizes on the night – but who will take the biggest prize of all: the Premier League?
Here is who won what on the night…
Player of the Year – Shaban Mohammad
Onduparaka captain Shaban Mohammad followed in the footsteps of compatriot and Standard Liege forward Faruku Miya to be named player of the year. Will he follow the Belgium based striker in being a professional player too? (Though the slump that followed would be best avoided.)
Female footballer of the year – Hasfa Nassuna
Hasfa Nassuna, 19, has had a breakthrough season for Kawempe Muslim SSS FC, and Crested Cranes. Nasuuna was voted the MVP of the 2015/2016 FUFA Women Elite League (FWEL) for the second year running. Nassuna created a deadly combination with Sandra Nabweteme for their 41 goals tally in the regular season of the FWEL. She scored 18 in the regular season and one in the play offs (19 in the FWEL 2015/2016 season) and made 16 assists to guide Kawempe to league glory. In total, the period captured for the awards in this category, Nassuuna scored 71 goals.
Coach of the year – Mike Mutebi
For delivering his first league title as a manager and the 11th for KCCA FC in May 2016, manager Mike Mutebi was named coach of the year. His team scored just 39 goals to end on 57 points. Vipers won it with 69 points the year before, scoring a paltry 42 goals.
Fufa team of the year
Mathias Mugwaya (GK), Denis Okot, Joseph Ochaya, Musa Walangalira, Musa malunda, Ibrahim Kayiwa, Muzamir MUtyaba, Keziron Kizito, Robert Ssentogo, Shaban Mohammad and Erisa Sekisambu.
Well done to the players included in the Fufa-Airtel team of the year
Fair play award – Vipers
Beach Soccer Player of the year – Roch Somoka (Nkumba Select)
Somoka helped Nkumba Select emerged champions of the Pepsi Beach Soccer League. He was named Most Valuable Player in May beating off stiff competition from fellow teammates Faisal Muwawu, Douglas Muganga and Allan Zirintusa.
Referee of the year – Ivan Kintu Bayige
Fans’ favourite player of the year (Best in Uganda) – Faruku Miya
