Vipers Sports Club took a break from Caf Confederation Cup assignment and instead turned attention to Uganda Cup action against Fufa big league side Kansai Plascon in a round of 32 encounter at St Mary’s stadium on Tuesday.
With several key names in the squad needing a deserved rest after an exhausting continental tie over the weekend, and others needing game time to sharpen their touch as well as finding their rhythm, Coach Michael Ouma made wholesale changes to the starting lineup.
As the Venoms turned on the heat towards the paint makers in devastating style, there was another promising factor to the team as two teenagers were named among the substitutes before they eventually made their debuts.
The big moment everybody was waiting for finally arrived as the two Vipers impressive youngsters were handed senior debuts for the club by the Kenyan born tactician.
Bobos Byaruhanga came in for Tito Okello in the 75th minute and nine minutes later, Ibrahim Tembo alias Tshekedi also joined the fray replacing injured Halid Lwalilwa, in truth neither could show their absolute best abilities but that wouldn’t really be expected on their debuts and in a much changed team.
In reality though, its a step up for the youngsters from playing against youth teams or school tournaments to more competitive mature opponents.
Byaruhanga an academy graduate who was a subject of contention with SC Villa earlier in the season, appeared on the substitutes bench away at Bright Stars while Tembo a student at Buddo secondary school, had his first mention on the team list.
Looking ahead on a wider perspective, its a decision reflective of how highly the coaches regard these teenagers who, while still raw and developing, are exciting future prospects as well as fitting perfectly in the club’s policy of talent growth.
These debuts caps a remarkable rise through the ranks but patience will be required despite their clear potential, however, in terms of rate in progress, they did well so credit to them though they must keep up that good work.
Mike Mutyaba, Godfrey Walusimbi, Farouk Miya, Keziron Kizito, Yunus Sentamu, Kizito Luwaga, Nicholas Wadada, Deus Bukenya, Ismail Watenga to mention but a few, are some of the household names who have risen through the club ranks to the international stage.
So far so good to give chance to youngsters
its good that youngstars are featuring in the big team but the question is how long will they feature because i know quite well the way squad choosing goes on at vipers camp….. am a student at kitende F6