{UAH} Abbey/WBK: Omiji boys form bulk of Coffee’s greatest team
|
10:31 AM |
No comments |
Omiji boys form bulk of Coffee's greatest team
How times change; it is hard to imagine that for more than two decades, Coffee FC was one of Ugandan football giants before it folded in 1996.
Rest Of The World, as they were nicknamed, were perennial contenders but despite their big pockets, won just one league title and two Uganda Cup crowns. Selecting the club's greatest lineup is not straightforward even though it is dominated by the successful side from the 1970s to the mid-eighties.
Goalkeeper: SAM TIMBE
I never saw the legendary Patrick Nathan when he played for Coffee in the late sixties before he crossed to Simba. The former Cranes goalie would surely have been in contention but I give the nod to Sam Timbe.
Timbe rose through the ranks upon his arrival from St Peter's Nyangole College, Tororo in 1972. During his spell, he shadowed the likes of Mawejje Birungi, Ali Sendegeya, Nelson Ssozi and Patrick Kiho to become the club's undisputed No. 1.
He was ever present when Coffee challenged for top honours. Renowned for his penalty expertise, his best moment came during the 1981 Uganda final when he saved two penalties against UCB FC as Coffee won its second title. Honourbale mentions to Robert Kiwanuka and Fred Kajoba but Timbe is the man for that slot.
Right back: SAM SERUNKUMA
This is one area where Coffee lacked a consistent performer, following the retirement of Ben Kasozi just before the team embarked on a trophy hunt. Indeed, Kasozi would have been my first choice but I only saw glimpses of his ability during his last days.
His successor Dan Lutalo moved to UCB before he could settle in the position but he paved the way for the emergence of Sam Serunkuma. The stoutly-built player was a no-nonsense defender whose cardinal work was to clear out danger. His long throw-ins also used to cause havoc in the opposition penalty area.
This is where he edges Billy Musisi. His unquestionable leadership qualities and discipline earned him the club's armband.
Left back: RICHARD MUGALU
He could play on the left wing and midfield but was most effective as a left fullback. Mugalu arrived at Coffee from Express in 1981 and forced coach James Nswaswa to switch Sam Serunkuma to right back. He spent ten years at the Bugolobi-based side as one of the most dependable Coffee and Uganda Cranes players.
Centre back: RICHARD MAKUMBI
By the time I saw Sam Kawadwa at Coffee, he was on his last legs. So, I'm not in good position to assess him. That is why I chose Makumbi, a striker-turned-defender who upon arrival from Jinja-based Nile FC brought steel in Coffee's vulnerable back four.
A hard tackler with aerial presence, he also scored crucial goals in the few times he ventured upfront. He played a vital role in Coffee's outstanding league run in 1985 before they were controversially docked points by Fufa and missed out on the title by just three points.
His departure to Express in 1986 was a big blow to Coffee but he returned after three seasons and once again made Coffee a hard nut to crack. Honourable mentions to John Mapeera, Edward Baguma and Godfrey Kisitu.
Centre back: MOSES LWALEERO
He arrived from KCC in 1977 as a goalkeeper but coach Charles Omiji converted him into a sweeper. Just two years into his new role, Lwaleero's excellent performance earned him a selection in the Uganda Cranes side which played in the 1979 Cecafa Cup.
The towering defender was naturally slow but more than made up for that deficit with fine game reading and timely interceptions. He was the Coffee skipper when they won the 1981 Uganda Cup.
Unfortunately, his career was cut short by a fatal motor accident in January 1982 that kept him in a wheelchair until he passed on in June 1992. Martin Ochaga and George Serunjogi are some of the outstanding players in this position.
Central midfield: VINCENT SEMANOBE
One of the few one-club players in Ugandan football, Semanobe spent his 13 years at Coffee as the undisputed commander of the midfield.
Industrious with a rare one-touch brand of football, the midfielder turned shirt No. 13 his own. The teenager came to Coffee from Kampala-based Tobacco in 1981 and became one of the best midfielders at the time. He was a name ahead of veterans Jimmy Bbosa, Francis Luggya and Fred Kayemba.
Central midfield: ALEX OLUM
He took long to settle into the club after starting out on the left wing before settling as a defensive midfielder. His pairing with Semanobe was at one time the best in the country. He left Coffee in 1987 and crossed over to SC Villa in a move which failed to yield good results.
Granted, I still rank him above Moses Basena, David Sewanonda, Fred Mugisha and Moses Kasita by Coffee FC standards.
Right midfield: OBADIAH SEMAKULA
For quite a number of years, Semakula was the best ball crosser in the country. He had pace to burn and an eye for timing good runs. He was self-assured at both the club and Uganda Cranes and was at his best in the 4-2-4- system, in which he easily created chances for strikers Med Matovu, John Buga and Issa Sekatawa.
Left midfield: MOSES NDAULA
Tagged 'Master Planner,' due to his calm and confident approach to the game, Ndaula was the main reason Coffee flourished in the 1970s before he left for Express in 1977.
Shirt No. 10 belonged to him and his absence could be felt. He was a left winger but could switch to any outfield position when need arose. Ibrahimn Buwembo, John Ntensibe, Robert Okoth and George Bakidde all shined but none comes close to Ndaula.
Centre forward: ROGERS SEMMERE
Tagged the 'Strongman,' Semmere was a strong, tireless player who always struck the ball with ferosity. He could play any attacking position to everyone's satisfaction.
He joined Coffee from Nsambya in 1977 but left in 1981 to join SC Villa but returned in 1983 and was the club's top-scorer for three consecutive years (1983-1985) until a knee injury forced him to quit football in 1986.
Centre forward: FRANK KYAZZE
Pace and powerful shots or headers summed up Frank Kyazze's career at Coffee. He joined the Curers from Lubaga SS in 1978 and quickly became a hot property with his eye for goal.
His goal-scoring prowess attracted SC Villa in 1982 but things didn't work out there until he crossed to KCC. Buga, Sekatawa, Med Matovu and Aldof Bola did well but Kyazze is ranked highly.
Coach: CHARLES OMIJI
He was a player when Coffee won the 1970 league title and as coach when the club won the 1981 Uganda Cup.
Trained in Germany as a tactician, Omiji nurtured the bulk of Coffee players that dominated the game for many years even though most of them were bought by the traditional big three giants before they could fulfill their potential.
bzziwa@observer.ug
The author is operations director of The Observer Media Ltd.
Related Posts:
{UAH} How the world reacted to Luwum's murder
{UAH} Professor Omara-Otunnu On Federalism- {UAH} Pojim/WBK: Citizen, KTN, NTV, QTV risk losing digital signals again over self-switch off | The Star
- {UAH} IDDI AMIN NEVER TARGETED LANGIs/ACHOLIs, THEY TARGETED HIM {---Series One-Hundred and forty-two}
{UAH} THIS IS LOLLIEST: LUGANDA RADIO OPENS IN DAR ES-SALAAM
0 comments:
Post a Comment