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Ssembatya wants to take Eddy Kenzo’s Big Talent to next level
Dreams. Ssembatya closely watches his team play. PHOTO/GEORGE KATONGOLE
What you need to know:
- It is the first time any of the squad players is taking part in the five-a-side indoor football but they are a hungry bunch.
Big Talent are into the semi-finals of the Futsal Super League on their debut. The team, owned by singer Edrisa Musuuza, aka Eddy Kenzo, is built around passionate and talented boys.
Brothers Farouk Tumwesigye and Faisal Wabyona obviously earn plaudits from the fans whenever they step on the pitch while Ronald Kaye, a student at Royal Giants in Mityana, produces something special each time he is available.
It is the first time any of the squad players is taking part in the five-a-side indoor football but they are a hungry bunch.
“We are here to learn as much as possible because futsal has helped us a lot in one-two touch football,” Wabyona said.
It is that hunger that head coach Muhammad Ssembatya will be looking to use to spur his boys to greater heights.
“We may have beaten Mengo, but there are still good sides that can determine how far we go. The true test of how good a team can be is lasting the distance,” said Ssembatyaa, who won the Futsal Super League with Yeak in 2019.
“We’ve a strong group of players we’re developing into true professionals and they must be able to answer most of the questions in the game. The celebrations are over and we must now use the previous games to excel in the remainder of the season.”
Park escape
The biggest escape was registered by Park, who defeated Yeak 4-0. Although the win was satisfactory, it was Synergy’s 5-2 thumping of Kisenyi that granted Park a place in the semis.
Park were last season’s most feared team. They went unbeaten until the season was suspended.
Iddi Babu, the team captain was relieved, saying they must now focus on the knockouts.
“Obviously we had the potential to reach this stage and perform even better. We can now put the regular season behind us and compete for the trophy,” Babu said.
Kisenyi madness
Synergy’s unbeaten run was spoiled by a moment of madness from Kisenyi, who had three players sent off. Referee Ismail Mulindwa was forced to show red cards to goalkeeper Farouk Nsubuga, Ahmed Omar Abdifatah and Mohamed Abdirahim for uncalled for protests.
But Travis Mutyaba somehow squeezed into the headlines with a hat-trick to the top of the scorer’s log with 11 goals ahead of Billy Nkata,Saidi Mayanja, Junior Abbas and Tumwesigye, all on 10 goals.
The semifinals and the playoffs will be played on June 26.
Futsal superleague - Saturday results
Mengo 4-7 Big Talent
Park 4-0 Yeak Kabowa
KJT 2-3 Aidenal
Synergy 5-2 Kisenyi
Semi-finals – June 26
Mengo vs. Park
Synergy vs. Big Talent
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