Even the doubting Thomas in the bible was won over by Wakiso Giants’ StarTimes Uganda Premier League first round performance this season.
From the style of play as a whole to good individual performances, the Purple Sharks’ display stands out with seven wins, four draws and three losses in 14 games.
Compared to their previous campaigns since they gained promotion something head coach John Luyinda attributes to a number of factors.
“The good first round display was down to a number of factors, first the board have done a tremendous job to motivate the players, to me that’s huge” he stated before expounding more on the players.
“But also, the players are talented in every sense of the word, every player had that hunger to be consistent whenever they got the opportunity and also their discipline off the pitch was thorough which helped them remain fresh.”
Luyinda joined Wakiso Giants before the start of the current season but players quickly adjusted to his style of play almost immediately, he was quick to cheekily state that no footballer hates “good football”.
“I don’t know of a player that wouldn’t want to play good football (passing the ball going forward) so the players definitely loved and adopted the style of play.
“But also this team has been together for a while so they understand each other well,” he added.
In as much as the Purple Sharks’ displays stood out, they also leaked in goals at the back (15) something Luyinda says has to be worked on if they are to keep competing for the title.
“We have conceded more goals (15) than the teams above us on the table (Vipers – five, BUL 10 and KCCA FC 12) and that’s because we had a few lapses in our defensive transitions and defending our set pieces better, we should be able to correct those before we resume.”
For a team like Wakiso Giants and how they have performed, one would imagine they are thinking about adding in a few new faces for the second round but Ayala thinks otherwise.
“If we (and most likely so) don’t lose our main players in the transfer window then I don’t think we shall make any changes to the team.”
“We have also not had many injuries and that’s because we are not aggressive in our style of play so for me we are good,” he stressed.
Luyinda also shared his thoughts on the team’s stand out performer in the first round in Owen Ibrahim Kasule and the team’s target.
“Kasule has stood out but I am more happy that he is converting. Last season he created more (12) but his conversion rate was low, I hope he continues that way when we resume.”
“As for how far we can go, we believe we can challenge for the title but at worst, we should maintain our current position or do better,” Luyinda added.
Fourth placed Wakiso Giants resume their second round league campaign on Thursday February 9th at home to KCCA FC.
