Each year receives a number of players that make it to the big stage of the game. They join a society full of expectations. They make it into the face of an unforgiving moment in their career where you are expected to either make it at all costs. In fact, it is that moment in a player’s career when ‘almost does not really count’.
We have seen and read about many players who were expected to be ‘the next big thing’ in Ugandan football. But, it’s even more baffling than surprising that some of them never play to their potential.
In this revelation, we bring you some of the players that not only didn’t play the way people expected them but continued to show promise until the dawn of their careers.
1. Steven Bengo
Position:
- Forward
Played For:
- SC Villa, URA FC, KCCA FC, Yanga SC, Nakumatt FC, Express FC, Soana FC, Wakiso Giants
What was expected of him?
- Being Uganda’s best midfielder for the next 10 years
- Playing for the best clubs in Europe
- Recording a record transfer fee
- Leading Uganda to International relevance.
- Once regarded as the next best thing in Ugandan football
Best Achievement:
- 2 CECAFA CUP TITLES (2008, 2009)
Why he failed:
Fantastic at youth level but didn’t translate to the pro level
- A lot of partying and nightlife that translated into missing training sessions
- Realizing he was talented and took the game for granted
- Rebelling against coaches (the best example was while at Villa against Ssimbwa
Where is he now?
- Assistant Head Coach at Wakiso Giants FC
2. Augustine Nsumba
Position:
- Midfielder
Played For:
URA FC, IBV Vestmannaeyjar, SC Villa, BUL FC
What was expected of him?
- To be Uganda’s Messi
- To have a successful professional carrier
- Leading Uganda to International relevance
Best Achievement:
- 2 Uganda Cups and a failed professional stint in Iceland
Why he failed:
- Gaining weight at an early stage and injuries
Where is he now?
- Works with URA FC coaching staff
3. Tony Odur
Position:
- Striker
Played For:
- Express FC
- Brabrand IF
- Bunamwaya
- Nkana FC
- KCCA FC
What was expected of him
- To play professional football in Europe
- Being Uganda’s best player
Best Achievement:
- 3 Uganda Premier League titles, 2 Uganda Cups
- Playing outside Uganda
Why he failed:
- Indiscipline and Injuries
Where is he now?
- Playing for Katwe United FC in the FUFA Big League
Also, read>>
Revealed: Agaba and Masaba in as Shafiq Kagimu names best XI of the last 10-years
4. Mike Sserumaga
Position:
- Midfielder
Played For:
Police FC, Alexandria FC, Helsingborgs, URA FC, Rayon Sports, St. George FC, Proline FC, T&T Group, Victoria University FC, Lweza FC, SC Villa, Vipers SC
What was expected of him?
- Uganda’s best creating midfielder
- To have a successful professional career
- Best midfielder in Africa
Best Achievement:
- Traveling the world
- Making people continue to trust him despite him botching every new opportunity he used t0 get
Why he failed:
- His talent as a youth player didn’t translate physically as a pro.
Where is he now?
- Playing for K.B Lions a 4th Division team in Wakiso
- Ibrahim Saddam Juma
Position:
- Midfielder
Played For:
Cray Wanderers, Sài Gòn Xuân Thành, Vipers SC, Express FC, KCCA FC
What was expected of him?
- Being Uganda’s best playmaker
- Being Uganda’s next major export after Majid Musisi
- Playing in the English Premier League
Best Achievement:
- CECAFA U-20 Championship, 2 Uganda Premier League titles, 1 Uganda Cup
Why he failed:
- Hampered with injuries
Where is he now?
- Plays for KCCA FC
6. Simon Sserunkuma
Position:
- Winger
Played For:
Victors FC, SC Villa, Vipers SC, Express FC, Simba SC, Tooro United, KCCA FC
What was expected of him?
- Leading Uganda to glory in CHAN
- Being Uganda’s best player and a dribbling winger
Best Achievement:
- 2008 Super League most valuable player and 1 Uganda Cup
- He was also the most expensive player in Ugandan football at the time when SC Villa signed him for UGX 16m from Victors FC.
- National team call up
Why he failed:
- Too many tricks, yet too little football.
Where is he now?
- Starts on the bench for KCCA FC
- Feni Moses Ali
Position:
- Midfielder
Played For:
SC Villa, URA FC, AFC Leopards, URA FC, Sofapaka FC, Wakiso Giants FC
What was expected of him?
- Playing in Europe
- Actually being good.
Best Achievement:
- 1 Uganda Premier League title
- 2 Uganda Cups
- Being an eternal promise.
Why he failed:
- It seems he was just never all that good, after all.
Where is he now?
- Midfielder at Kyetume FC
8. Krizestom Ntambi
Position:
- Midfielder
Played For:
SC Villa, Express FC, Navibank Saigon FC, Vasco Da Gama, An Giang, Jimma Aba Buna, Ethiopia Coffee, Wakiso Giants FC
Also, Read>>
KCCA FC: 5 players whose future remains uncertain
What was expected of him?
- Being Uganda’s best midfielder for the next 10 years
- Having a successful professional career
Best Achievement:
- 1 Uganda Cup
- Playing outside Uganda
Why he failed:
- Just not as good as initially presented.
- Making the wrong decisions at the right time
Where is he now?
- Playing for Wakiso Giants
9. Brian Majwega
Position:
- Winger
Played For:
Simba, KCCA FC, Azan FC, KCCA FC, URA FC, Maroons FC, URA FC
What was expected of him?
- Being Uganda’s best player and a dribbling winger in the mold of Cristiano Ronaldo
- Needless to say, he never landed there.
Best Achievement:
- 2 Uganda Premier League titles
- National team call up
- Making people continue to trust him despite botching every new opportunity he gets.
Why he failed:
- Unnecessary competition for off the pitch limelight with fellow players
- Wrong decisions at the right time, right decisions at the wrong time
- Just not as good over a long time as initially advertised.
Where is he now?
- Plays for URA FC
10. Godfrey Buni
Position:
Midfielder
Played For:
SC Villa, URA FC, The Saints FC, BUL FC, Nyamityobora FC, Western Stima FC, Soana FC, Kyetume FC
What was expected of him?
- Being Uganda’s next midfield gem
- To have a successful career
Best Achievement:
- MVP Cocacola Post Primaries 2008
- Playing outside Uganda
- Trained in Brazil by the legendary Zico
Why he failed:
- Just not as good over a long time as initially advertised.
- Injuries
Where is he now?
- Plays for Kyetume FC
Do you have any objections to this listing?
Please share with us your views via the comment box below
You must be logged in to post a comment.