After a long period of waiting, the Uganda Premier League (UPL) finally kicked off with Solito Bright Stars hosting KCCA F.C on the 3 December 2020, a game the visitors won 1-2.
The league has been going on for five uninterrupted match days amidst several challenges. The fact that it has been a successful round of fixtures, FUFA have drawn a calendar to which other football divisions will adhere to so that they too return to action.
Below are the top 5 highlights from the previous match days played in the UPL:
1. UPL Fixtures
UPL still faces a big problem of making considerate fixtures. Before drawing up the final fixture, UPL does not look at FIFA and CAF calendars to find out whether their activities do not coincide with those of its mother bodies.
For example, at the beginning of the season, Vipers SC had an away continental engagement on the same day it was supposed to play its first 2020/21 season game. This led to the league game being postponed to a later yet to be communicated date. Fixtures need to be harmonized to avoid the case of some teams having fewer which in turn can lead to match-fixing.
2. 2020/21 Promoted Teams
Current table leaders UPDF F.C, relegation languishing MYDA F.C and Kitara F.C were promoted to UPL for the 2020/21 season. MYDA and Kitara are playing in the top division for the first time in both teams’ histories.
UPDF has been the season’s surprise package so far, winning 4 and losing 1 of their 5 fixtures played. In the process, they have scored 11 and conceded 3 times. They might not be the top challengers for the championship as the season progresses but with this kind of form, they are surely safe from relegation.
MYDA and Kitara are both without a win and are sure relegation candidates.
3. Goals Scored
The first five matchdays have had a total of 119 goals. Kitara has been the least scoring side with only 4 goals from 5 games. KCCA has been the highest-scoring side with 14 goals. The League’s top scorer after 5 League games is Kasasiro boy Brian Aheebwa who has found the back of the net 7 times.
On the goal-scoring charts, UPDF’s Brian Kalumba is a surprise to many with 4 scored. His team’s run of good form will depend on his ability to score more. URA F.C’s Joachim Ojera is tops the table with the most player assists made totalling to five.
4. The Competition Among VEK Teams
VEK stands for Villa-Express-KCCA, Ugandan football’s domestic giants. A few years ago, a league game involving KCCA and any other top team of this trio was always the Kasasiro Boy’s show but this season, in its 5 fixtures, SC Villa hosted KCCA F.C which it beat 2-1 and in five days paid a visit to Express FC to which they lost 1-0 to the hosting team.
The competition among these three sides looks to be rejuvenating, a thing which is good for Ugandan football as a whole. All the three teams have not dropped a single point at home this season.
A competitive trio of Villa, Express and KCCA is a gift to Ugandan football any fan would ask from Santa this Christmas season.
5. The Return of Fans to Stadiums
On matchday 3, it was announced by FUFA that fans would return to the stadiums. However, this was meant with strict rules for any team that hoped to have fans at their games.
The total number of fans allowed at stadiums is 200 and have to be for the home team and strictly season ticket holders. This was put up for easy tracking in case of a COVID-19 breakout.
This is advantageous to home teams in case it remains put when the league returns since it is only the home team which will be getting the fans’ wild cheers. In this case, how a team plays the away games will have a lot of effect on its final table standing.
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Author: Katende Basajjabaka
Katende writes about sports and occasionally technology.
