By Denis West
Little attention is usually accorded to defenders yet victorious teams always have to possess the best defence. In this detailed article, I take a cursory view at the best five defenders in the league mainly looking at those playing at the heart of defence (call them centre-backs if you want).Without doubt one of the shortlisted five will at the end of the season be named the best defender, included in the league best 11 and may contend for the best male player of the year at the Uganda Premier League awards in July or the FUFA awards in December.
Geoffrey Wasswa (Vipers)
It is because of him that you no longer here of names like Shafiq Bakaki. He has formed an impregnable partnership with Bashir Asiku as Vipers chase for a third league crown. Even when reliable Halid Lwaliwa from a lengthy injury layoff, coaches Miguel Da Costa and Edward Golola found it fitting to create a three-man defence encompassing Wasswa, Lwaliwa and Asiku rather than dropping one.
Wasswa is integral in the national team U-20 side trying to qualify for the continental showpiece and his combination with Proline’s Mustapha Mujjuzi for Matia Lule’s side gives the nation hope that the future is secured.
A composed game reader who is also good at man-marking, the former St Mary’s Kitende player has ensured second placed Vipers have conceded only 14 goals in 23 matches.
Henry Katongole (SC Villa)
The unsung hero in Villa’s determined pursuit of league glory this season. Many are quick to zero in skipper Bernard Muwanga as the real force in the water tight Villa backline that has conceded the fewest goals in the league (9) but you can ignore Henry Katongole at your own peril. Having won the league trophy with Express in 2012, Katongole knows a thing or two about the local league and has all the necessary backing from Villa head coach Wasswa Bbosa with whom they have worked closely for close to eight years.
His take-on-prisoners defensive approach has silenced proven forwards like Muhammad Shaban, Derrick Nsibambi and Dan Ssernunkuma yet it is his calmness that keeps him cards-free. Soon, new Uganda Cranes coach Sebastien Desabre must be granting him a national team summon – if at all it is based on form and stats.
Timothy Awany (KCCA)
Not new to the list of best defenders in the league but worth noting is that he has grown mentally and physically. The ever present figure in Mike Mutebi’s rotating backline; Awany now knows the challenge and demand that comes with wearing the captain’s armband.
Now a regular on any summoned national team squad, Awany has been the rock as KCCA conceded a paltry 11 goals in 23 matches.
Timed tackles and drives forward have been added to Awany’s game and you can rely on him when the likes of Al Ahly, township Rollers and Esperance come visiting in the Caf Champions League matches that start in earnest next month.
Willey Macro (Jinja SSS)
Yes Jinja SSS backline of Allan Drajua, Rajab Sabiri, Willey Macro and Isma Kawawulo works as a unit but hard as nails Macro stands out. He acts as the team sweeper and is always tasked to keep out the deadly forwards which he does to near perfection for Charles Ayeikho Mbuzi’s team that occupies fifth spot (before Saturday’s Jinja Derby with Bul)
Sylvester Okello (Maroons)
First you have to admit that Sylvester Okello loves his parent club Maroons and never leaves even when they are relegated. That bondage has transformed into spirited displays for Asaph Mwebaze’s side this season which expounds why they have no relegation headache this term. Skipper Okello, operating with Ashadu Bugembe (goalkeeper), Eddy Kapampa, Richard Ayiko, Allan Anguyo and at times Maxwell Okello, have ensured that big boys like Villa, KCCA, Vipers and URA haven’t gotten three points off the Luzira based side that sits sixth on the log.They have accrued 16 draws – the highest in the league –which partly explains that the defence is far better that their average attacking line that has Pius Obuya, Yahaya Luuti, William Kibi, Solomon Walusimbi, Ivan Wani and Sydney Chika.
