Africa-Press – Uganda. One of the realities brought to SC Villa new coach Petros Koukouras’ attention at his unveiling in Kampala – when he mentioned the Jogoos’ historical successes as having attracted him – was that their last national championship was 17 years ago.
And table standings as another Covid-19-enforced lockdown brought last season’s StarTimes Uganda Premier League (UPL) to an abrupt stop for the second successive campaign hardly betrayed the Jogoos struggles on and off the pitch.
The Jogoos finished 10th on the table, 22 points from champions Express – even having played a game more. A minus-one goal difference summed up how they have fallen over the years, some of which they have dangerously flirted with relegation.
Youthful exuberance
“Villa is the most successful club in Uganda so when I was presented with the opportunity, I couldn’t say no,” said Koukouras at his unveiling before responding to their nearly two-decade drought, “That gives us motivation to win it again.”
Well, it is a new slate for the Greek both in his dugout and on the pitch, the club having made a clear-out before his arrival. With boardroom elections on ice, the Jogoos will take some solace in their recruitment, which has focused on youth.
Youngsters Kenneth Semakula has arrived from Bul, highly rated midfield gem Isma Mugulusi from Busoga United and Joseph Kafumbe from KCCA.
The trio were part of the Uganda Hippos team that finished second in the 2021 Afcon in February. Oscar Mawa, formerly of KCCA, ex-Arua Hill junior team star Iddi Abdulwahid and Travis Mutyaba from Vipers have also featured for the Uganda Cubs.
“We have signed many young players,” he told Daily Monitor, “and we want to create a team that will form a foundation for many years.”
With a fairly strong background in youth football having coached and had placements in China, Ghana, the UK and his home country Greece, the former assistant with South Sudan national team seems to be at the right place.
Manage expectations
He, however, calls on the Jogoos to manage their expectations. “All I can say is that I want to create a hardworking team and that we will try to win every game and get top of the league.”
In the dugout, Koukouras has more help from youthful brains, Villa having tied down former KCCA junior team coach Jackson Magera and kept Phillip Ssozi in charge of the junior team.
Richard Amatre, his second assistant, brings in some old tricks, while Mubarak Kiberu is the goalkeeping coach.
Villa, like many UPL clubs, have seen massive departures and arrivals, with the newcomers mostly learning how to walk among the big boys.
But where they will lack experience, the youngsters will likely make up for with youthful exuberance. And boy, how the Jogoos faithful will do with some patience!
SC Villa transfers
IN
Kenneth Semakula (Bul)
Isma Mugulusi (Busoga United)
Fred Gift (Booma)
Ali Bayo (Edgars)
Charles Bbaale (KJT)
Oscar Mawa (KCCA J.T)
Idd Abdulwahid (Arua Hill J.T)
Travis Mutyaba (Vipers J.T)
Joseph Kafumbe (KCCA)
Umar Lutalo (Aspire Academy)
Marvin Kavuma (NEC)
Joseph Yiga (Tooro United)
OUT
Saidi Keni
Asuman Harisheh
Derrick Ndahiro
Geoffrey Wasswa
Emmanuel Wasswa
Faizah Muwawu
Fahad Bardiro
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