Henry Musabe: My Best XI of Arua USSSA National Post Primaries 2022

The Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) National Post Primary (NPP) Mvara SS -Arua 2022 has seen already established Uganda premier league stars shine and has also produced new talents and this is the best XI as selected by Sports256 chief editor and Senior reporter Henry Musabe.

This squad is selected in reference to two factors; player’s or individual qualities exhibited and their contributions towards their teams.

The team is selected by a specialist in the field of young and special talents who spent a week plus in Arua covering the USSSA Games hosted by Mvara SS.

The reporter selected a team of three defenders, four Midfielders and three forwards in a 3-4-3 system;

Juma Mutebi (GK) – Kawempe Muslim SS.

The big goal keeper was exceptional with good game reading, despite his school being knocked out at the quarter finals. for his individual qualities he beats Jinja’s Oyo Delton, golden glove winner Apangu Safi (considered for most cleen sheets) and West Ville goal keeper who was also outstanding for my goal keeper of the tournament.

Vincent Agaku – Buddo SS.

In my back 3 selection, I go for Agaku though it was a tough decision to pick him ahead of Jinja SS versatile defender Joel Kanyankole for a place in the XI.

The big center half was the back borne of Simon Peter Mugerwa’s defense and his physical presence in Buddo’s backline was always fealt despite exiting at the Semi-finals stage in a controversial manner.

Ronald Madoi – St Mary’s Kitende

A very composed calm center half, reads the game so well, comfortable on the ball and will rarely make mistakes.

The Wakiso Giants defender beats Kaye of Buddo, teammate Rogers Torach despite scoring more goals than Madoi but he looked shaky at some occasions.

Osuta Jude Gerald – Nile High Arua

The boy was eye catching, A very intelligent center back, aggressive, good game reading and comfortable in possession.

He showcased his abilities against the best attack in the tournament in the round of 16 game against Charles Lwanga and Najib Yiga

Midfielders

Lazarus Ocila – Amus College

A highly contested place, Ocila beats Arua Hill SC Midfielder Mimosa Yasiri of Gombe High School by inches.

The number 16 Amus college midfielder, comfortable in possession, with good work rate, created many goals and scored as many.

He was used in defensive midfield role and at some occasions in advanced attacking positions

Travis Mutyaba – Gombe High School

No doubt the biggest name in the National Post Primary in Arua, the SC Villa man lived to many’s expectations and it was not by mistake that he was named MVP.

Very eye catching, he was fans’ darling and there was always moments of applause whenever the teenager had the ball on the feet.

Mutyaba was missed in the semis ruled out with injury and was forced to play in the final after each team they played in the group stages, round of 16 and quarter finals had startegised to kicking his legs.

Yasin Mukiibi (Jersey 19) of Amus College very impressive young man was a serious candidate for this position

Shafiq Kakande – Royal Giants MMityana

In a star studied Royal Giants side that was knocked out at round of 16 stage, Kakande, Midfielder/calm forward stood out, assisted at many occasions and scored important goals for his school. They finished with a record maximum 18 points from the group which also had semi- finalists Kibuli.

Kakande who was top scorer of his school with 6 goals, beat his captain Kaye and Isa Bugembe who were also outstanding for a place in my best XI.

Elvis Ngondwe – St Mary’s Kitende

Twalib Idd of Nile High is beaten by Ngondwe who was St Mary’s Kitende star man who scored important goals in the quarter, semi and final.

The experienced SUPL player from Jinja SS, was to me the bronze winner for tournament MVP,  behind Travis Mutyaba & Kanyankole of Kibuli.

Forwards

Edwine ‘Kanyankole’ Owachgui – Kibuli SS

He took the tournament by storm with his trickery and magic infact if it wasn’t Travis Mutyaba for MVP it would have been the Kibuli SS winger.

Kanya, as his close pals prefer calling him shinned brightest in the Kibuli team that also had KCCA FC forward Dominic Ayela and Allan Oriyoth.

Keita Ismail Ndifuna – Mukono Kings

Endowed with electric speed, can dribble easily beat opponents, knocked out at quarter finals. He finished with 9 goals in his debut NPP, two behind Golden boot winner Oscar Mawa who played two extra games; semis and finals.

They were tied with Mawa but the Golden boot winner edged him with the 2 goals he scored Vs Buddo in the semis.

Vipers and Kitende’s Najib Yiga missed some games with a knock and he is beaten for a place in the XI.

Oscar Mawa – Gombe High School.

The SC Villa talisman emerged top scorer of the tournament with 11 goals, scored important goals for the debutants and his goals helped the team play in the finals in their debut NPP.

In absence of Travis Mutyaba who was ruled out with injury, Mawa scored a brace to eliminate Buddo SS in the semis.

Mawa beats the likes of Charles Lwanga, and Innocent Media that were also outstanding for the place in the XI.

Buddo’s Media nursed an Injury from the group stages and had little time to recover playing games everyday.

So, he completes my front three as the center forward, patterned with Kanyankole on the right of attack and Keita on the left.

Coach

Kirema Mata – Gombe High School.

He produced the MVP, top scorer and beat goal keeper of the tournament in Gombe’s first appearance at the NPP and made it to the finals.

Assistant : Edward Golola – St Mary’s Kitende

Helped Kitende to successfully defend the title they last won in 2019 and helped them win the 10th NPP title.

Special mentions;

Oyo Delton (GK) – Jinja SS

The Jinja SS Goalkeeper missed the quarter final clash against Gombe with fever but was no doubt one of the best goal kepeers in the tournament, very composed and commanded the team well.

Reagan Kasumba – Gombe High School

Gombe High School captain and defender Reagan Kasumba was outstanding but couldn’t come ahead of the three selected backs; Osuta, Agaku & Madoi.

Joel Kanyankole Tumwesigye – Jinja SS

One of the experienced players in the Jinja team and in the tournament was outstanding.a natural right back was often used in an advanced position by coach Hassan Zungu and was the biggest threat in the team.

Oyiroth Allan – Kibuli SS

Played on the flanks and behind the striker, he was always a scare alongside Kanya and Ayela Dominic.

Leon Muhumuza -Buremba SS

He looked so composed in the midfield, calm and against St Mary’s Kitende he proved a better player.

Sebuufu Asillam Kasajja – Latifah Mixed

The tinny attacking Midfielder was joy to watch in the middle of the park with great vision and so comfortable on the ball.

Mimosa Yasiri – Gombe High

Signed with Arua Hill SC, Mimosa was a key figure in Gombe High team commanding the midfield and he started most of their attacks. He was joy to watch.

Bugembe Isa – Royal Giant Mityana

Another experienced forward, him along side Captain Kaye and Kakende formed the most dangerous attack in the tournament and made Giants look serious contenders from the word go.

Charles Lwanga (SMASK), Najib Alawi, Innocent Ronald (Buddo), Ronald Ziraba (Buddo), Rogers Torach & Najib Yiga (SMASK), Chiengkuoth Par Jiek (Kawempe), Mudiba Samiru (STAHIZA), Apangu Safi (Gombe), Toto Brian (Gombe) Juma Lipo (Kibuli) , Dennis Semujju (Kibuli) ,Joseph Ogwang & Davis Ogwal (Buddo), Jencho Buhen -Mvara SS, Bogere Yusuf -Jinja SS, Ngon Mandut – LACONA, were some other notable faces in the tournament.

My three choices for MVP

MVP – Travis Mutyaba – Gombe High

Runners up – Kanyankole – Kibuli SS

1st Runners up – Elvis Ngondwe – St Mary’s Kitende