Swift Sports Crew
The 2021/22 Uganda Premier League season will get underway on Friday, 13th October with champions Express FC taking on new entrants Arua Hill at Muteesa II Stadium.
Swift Sports desk has tipped Vipers SC to win the title this season to make it three titles in five seasons while Busoga United, Tooro United are favourites for relegation.
Last season, Express FC won the title with URA FC and Vipers SC as the nearest rivals.
- Advertisement -
Here is how our observers think the title will be won and the teams to face the drop
David GOMBE
My gut feeling is that it going to be very difficult to stop Vipers SC this season. Robertinho Oliveira’s charges have massive confidence from winning the Stanbic Uganda Cup. When you look at their options in midfield and going forward, it’s just not fair on the other teams and with form that Caesar Manzoki was in during the Uganda Cup triumph last season, they are favourites.
- Advertisement -
They and reigning champions Express FC will just about have the edge on everyone but not by much since the likes of URA FC and KCCA FC also have decent squads respectively.
Relegation:
I expect Busoga, Tooro United and Gaddafi to be relegated this campaign.
Gladys ZAWEDDE
Vipers look stable and they have the fire power to score goals, so I fancy them to win the title this term. Express FC with the additions of Joseph Akandwanaho, Deus Bukenya, Nicholas Kasozi will be Vipers’ closest rivals.
- Advertisement -
SINAN RAJUB SENOGA
I tip Express to defend their title this season given the fact that they have managed to maintain almost the same squad from the one they used last season. With Eric Kambale, Martin Kizza, Godfrey Lwesibawa, George Ssenkaaba, Charles Musiige and the rejuvenated Muzamir Mutyaba firing on all cylinders, I tip Express to narrowly edge Vipers to this season’s championship.
Wasswa Bbosa increased his squad depth with the addition of new players including Joel Mutakubwa who I expect to ably replace Mathias Muwanga. Joseph Akandwanaho, Nicholas Kasozi, Raymond Walugembe and Deus Bukenya are great additions in their respective departments.
Bbosa’s men have the meanest defence in the league marshalled by Enock Walusimbi, Murushid Juuko, Isa Lumu and Arthur Kiggundu among others.
Relegation:
I expect Busoga United, Tooro United and UPDF FC to go down at the end of the season.
ELIAS KAYONDO
My take is that Vipers SC will end the upcoming season victorious. A visibly well organized side with the depth in squad and a couple of both experienced and young players.
Yunus Ssentamu, Ceasor Manzoki, Milton Karisa to mention a few all have the experience that is required of a winning team.
On the other hand, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Abdul Karim Watambala, Azizi Kayondo among others are tried and tested youngsters.
As observed in the primary transfer window, the Kitende based side are keen with new additions. They have only had two new inclusions in Goalkeeper Jack Komakech and midfielder Bright Anukani. Being “Moneybags” one would expect them to be a busy side in the transfer market but they ignored that bandwagon and chose to concentrate on the “old guard”.
In a nutshell, it’s a team that is blessed with decent players and they have been intact for quite some time.
I expect Tooro United, UPDF FC and Busoga United to be relegated at the end of the season.
ALEX KABWAMA.
Vipers have got everything it takes to be crowned victors in the Uganda Premier League 2021/22. Looking for a team with both experienced and young players you will end up at Kitende based team.
A depth in the squad with almost 3 players in each position makes it difficult for me to understate the Oliveira coached team. Vipers managed to keep all its key players and with the recent form from Bobosi Byaruhanga, Yunus Ssentamu and Stanbic Uganda Cup top scorer Ceaser Manzoki expect fire from Kitende.
With the acquisition of Robertinho Oliviera and Marcelo Cardoso as head coach and assistant coach respectively is huge boast to the boys.
Busoga United, Tooro United and Gaddafi, I rate them highly to be relegated.
Danito NSUBUGA
I think KCCA FC are good enough to challenge for their 14th league title.
They have a perfect blend of youth and experience which will be their biggest weapon.
They have made Lugogo a fortress in the past and teams have had tough times going there regardless of the fact that they have a new man at the helms.
Julius Poloto, Charles Lwanga and Peter Magambo have become of age and they will be key in KCCA’s challenge for the title.
Relegation
Tooro United seem to have not prepared enough for the the league and the news surrounding wars of ownership of the club will not help.
Busoga United will surprise me a lot if they manage to beat the drop, they lost too many of their good players and the replacements aren’t convincing.
Gaddafi for me also lack the necessary man power to challenge in the top flight, Brian Kalumba may be a very good signing but the other forward options are not convincing.
It may be a big season for youngster Steven Munguchi
