In the same vein, Nkuubi, 25, said that even after he retires, he will always look back on this day, when he won his first MOTM award. He explained that this is the kind of souveneir he will hold onto jealously, so that he can one day show his children and grand children, that he played football at the highest level.
Yet, even without much admission, the Shs 100,000, that comes along with the award, is one gesture that moved Nkuubi. It is a timely boost to his earnings, especially at this time, as the holidays draw nigh. Because Ugandan footballers do not earn a lot of money, any shot up the arm of this nature, would brighten their day.
On the other hand, it would also be a boost to the whole team, considering the number of teams that go months without paying their players. But that will in all certainty not be Vipers, for which Nkuubi plays. Vipers caters for its players’ welfare quite well. That said, Nkuubi was not the only one to enjoy the decoration, that comes from being named MOTM.
In the game involving URA FC and Mbarara City, the latter’s defender Hillary Mukundane was the MOTM. Maroons’ Ivan Wani stole the show, when they drew one-all with UPDF FC in Luzira.
In Masavu FC’s continued bid to emerge from the relegation zone, the Entebbe-based team beat Onduparaka FC 2-1. Masavu striker Abraham Ndugwa won the MOTM award, following his late winning goal. It was Ndugwa’s second MOTM award in as many games, as he continues to showcase himself, as one of the revelations this season.
Police FC’s attacking midfielder Albert Mugisa is another of the league’s new kids on the block. He was the MOTM in his team’s goalless draw with Bright Stars FC in Mwererwe.
Similarly, Proline FC’s David Owor scooped the ForteBet MOTM award despite his team losing 1-2 to SC Villa in Masaka at the Recreation ground.
So much for Owor’s effort, that did not go unnoticed. The same could be said of KCCA FC’s striker Patrick Kaddu. Having had a rare start for the defending champions against Kirinya Jinja SSS, he saved his team’s blushes right at the death.
A goal on 88 minutes by Kaddu did not only see him register his first brace for a team he joined in July, but helped KCCA to its first win in three matches, to keep within five points of the league leaders SC Villa.
In a nutshell, BUL FC will be aiming to steer as far away from the relegation zone, which is why their 2-0 win over Soana FC on Tuesday could not have come at a better time. They are now ninth on the 16-team table.
But most importantly, defender Fred Agandu was instrumental in securing this result, following his goal on 19 minutes.
With his solid and tenacious defending, coupled with his relentless marauding, Agandu was a key figure in BUL’s offensive play, making him a worthwhile winner of the MOTM award from ForteBet, that is lighting up the league, as players jostle for the prominence, that comes with winning it.
jovi@observer.ug