Cranes achievement
Uganda qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time since 1978 after beating Comoros on 4th September 2016 will stand out for Ugandans as the best football moment of the year.
A 1-0 victory secured Cranes place at next year’s finals in Gabon as one of the two best group runners-up.It was 38 years of waiting and finally Serbian coach Micho steered Uganda to reach 13 points, thanks to a memorable 35th-minute winner by Farouk Miya.
Cranes finished in second place in the group because of a inferior head-to-head record against Burkina Faso.What followed was Cranes players raising their arms and others sank to their knees at the end of the match something the whole country will keep remembering.
Uganda Premier League
At the club level, 2016 was a historic year in Ugandan football.A little known club, Onduparaka FC from Arua suprised eveyone when they lit up the scene of club football in Uganda.The Caterpillars as they are known reached the Uganda Cup finals ,missing a slot to qualify for CAF Confederations Cup when they fell to Vipers SC at Nakivubo Stadium.
It was not rosy year for Uganda clubs in continental football as KCCA and SC Villa who represented the country were ejected in the preliminary stages.
However it was a great year that saw big companies pumping cash to club football.It was a year that Express FC,Vipers,Onduparaka and Bright Stars attracted sponsorship worth billions.
Deniss Onyango
It was a sweet year for Uganda’s number one Denis Onyango as he won the 2016 CAF Champions League with South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns to become first Ugandan to achieve the the status.His nomination to the Africa best player of the year was another great achievement as he has made it to the last five becoming one of the most decorated Uganda player in our time.His individual contribution to national team is largely seen as the pointer that made Cranes make it to AFCON.
However, it was bitter at home as local fans did not recogonize his efforts and indeed he did not scoop the Most Valuable Player of the year award.
Football authorities stutters
It’s hard to identify any positive contribution by the local football authorities.
The year has been blighted by challenges that need to be addressed.
First, Uganda Cranes coach went for months without pay with players allowances also delayed for months even after making it to the African Cup of Nations and succesfull journey on road to Russia 2018.
Political wars between ex-internationals led by Dan Walusimbi and Magogo led office was a shame to the progress made far by the Cranes squad.
Uganda Premier League was filled with questionable officiating and hooliganism by fans something that FUFA failed to streamline in good time.
