UCU vs Kabale University,
4pm, UCU Grounds.
By Michael Ainomugisha
Uganda Christian University (UCU) Cardinals are set to face Kabale University in the University Football League (UFL) on 29th October at the UCU Grounds.
With the game scheduled for Tuesday, Coach Jimmy Kintu’s team find themselves in a precarious position in the UFL this season. After three games, the team has managed only two points, with one loss and two draws, leaving them at the bottom of the table. With just a single goal scored, their slow start has raised questions about whether the team is adequately prepared to compete, despite Kintu’s assurances that they are a “work in progress.”
Growing Pains in Transition
Coach Kintu has acknowledged that the team is undergoing a significant transition, with a new influx of younger, less experienced players stepping into key roles. While he has asked for patience, stating that it will take “about three years” for this new project to fully mature, the results so far are not encouraging. The team’s struggle to adjust to the departure of several key players from last season has been glaring.
In particular, the absence of offensive stalwarts like Geoffrey Gagganga and Isaac Offoyirwoth, who left for the Uganda Premier League, has left the team without a reliable attacking force. Their replacements—Ariaka Jordan, Oyaka Geoffrey, and a misfiring Harry Abiti—have been unable to fill the void, leading to a sharp decline in goal-scoring prowess.
Abiti, who was expected to carry the mantle after a decent showing last season, has failed to replicate his previous form. His current lacklustre performances, combined with the inexperience of Jordan and Geoffrey, have left the Cardinals toothless in the final third. Without a dependable forward line, the team has struggled to convert chances, often ending up frustrated in front of goal.
Another transition is visible in defensive issues that have been just as troubling. Last season’s Defender of the Year, Godfrey Arijole, was a rock at the back, but his absence this season has left a gaping hole in UCU’s defence. The team’s backline, now lacking the composure and experience Arijole brought, has been erratic and prone to costly mistakes.
Erratic defending, particularly in the centre-back position, has exposed UCU to unnecessary goals. Their once-solid defence, which kept opponents at bay, now looks vulnerable with each passing game. Kintu’s inability to replace Arijole’s leadership and defensive expertise has left the team looking disorganised and out of sorts in crucial moments.
A Slow Build or Signs of a Crisis?
While Kintu is optimistic about the future, suggesting that the team needs time to develop, the Cardinals cannot afford to write off this season. Football is an unforgiving sport, and the University Football League demands consistency and immediate results. As the Cardinals languish at the bottom of the table, pressure is mounting. The fans and the UCU community, who are accustomed to seeing their team fight for titles, will not wait three years for success.
The longer the team’s winless streak extends, the more difficult it will become to rally and build momentum. The inexperience of the current squad, combined with the pressure to perform, may risk derailing Kintu’s long-term project before it can even take root.
There’s no doubt that UCU Cardinals are in a rebuilding phase, but their slow start has raised concerns about the team’s ability to compete in the near term. Without the creative spark or defensive solidity that defined last season, UCU must find a way to quickly adapt and pick up crucial points if they are to avoid sinking further down the table.
Coach Kintu’s patience with his young team is understandable, but football is a results-driven sport. UCU Cardinals need to shake off the cobwebs of transition and show that they can compete, or risk being left behind in a league that will not wait for them to mature.
Cardinals will be up against Kabale at home in Mukono, not only to avenge their loss in Kabale but to get maximum points that will keep them afloat in the league.
