Danito NSUBUGA
The Purple Sharks as they prefer to be referred to are having one of their worst spells since gaining topflight promotion in 2019.
They are on a downward spiral and on a winless run of 8 league games and have lost three consecutive matches for the first time this season.
Bar the one against Police FC where they showed some flashes of the willingness to die a little for their team, the other two seemingly looked as walkovers for the opponent.
The 6-1 defeat to SC Villa at Wankulukuku and the 3-0 defeat to URA FC at Wakisha appeared like giveaways to the opponent.
As pointed earlier on above, the defeat to Police may have some positives because the team had the desire to go for a result despite the fact that their late mounting for a challenge came a little too late to yield a thing save for Hudson Mbalire’s shot that hit the woodwork in the dying moments.
They are now languishing in the relegation zone on only 9 points and should Bright Stars, Kitara and Mbale Heroes win, they will takeover the basement place.
Why do we think they may not survive.
INEXPERIENCED COACH
In the Ugandan topflight currently, Wakiso Giants have one of the most inexperienced coaches and this may count against them.
He doesn’t inspire so much confidence, and in most cases he even takes too long to get to the dressing rooms especially during games where they are trailing at half time. One may wonder who gives the halt time talks, his assistant Tonny Mawejje is also cut from the same cloth.
Bengo and co. struggle to march the more experienced men on the touchline of other teams in the competition.
POOR RECRUITMENT
Wakiso Giants are one of the teams that did the worst transfer business. They lost some key players and failed to replace them with other equally good players. Their squad is mainly dominated by young and inexperienced players who are easily bullied by the seasoned competitors in the league. The injury to the impressive Herbert Asiimwe left Bengo with only Tevin Kyeyune and Hudson Mbalire whereas Marvin Oshaba is yet to step up his game.
The addition of experienced Kizito Luwagga appeared to be a shrewd business but the former Cranes number 10 carried an injury and he only made his debut yesterday.
INJURIES
Their thin squad was hit by early injuries to key players like Rahmat Senfuka, Alex Komakech and striker Herbert Asiimwe, who had started the season so well.
It is left to be answered whether the owner and bankroller Musa Sebulime still has the desire and willingness to splash more money in investment to improve the squad.
Echoes from the fan base point to the fact that some have lost confidence in the team and very few follow them to away matches are also disappointed by the poor results posted by the team. Many of them could be heard wondering whether he is still fully as committed to investing into the team as he used to be years ago.
The fans no longer come in numbers to support the team and this leaves the owner with a hefty burden of emptying his pockets to keep the team afloat.
NOT TOO LATE
With the return to full fitness of Kizito Luwagga, Marvin Mukiibi and a few additions in January, topflight status is still a reality to be protected since not many teams in the relegation zone are able to win games on a constant.
The experienced players in the squad Baker Lukooya need to be trusted more and the likes of Tom Masiko must get out of their shell and comfortable zone to inspire the youngsters.
Mbale Heroes have had their woes, Soltilo Bright Stars are still under an interim coach and Kitara and Lugazi aren’t too far away.
Since their elevation to the topflight in 2019/20, Wakiso Giants haven’t finished below 11th. They managed 10th place in their first season with 30 points, 9th in their second season with 36 points, 8th in their 3rd season with 36 points and 11th with 32 points.
Judging by the above statistic, they at least average 33 points per season and with 19 games left, assembly they can manage to pick an average of 1.5 points per game to guarantee safety.
Only IF …
