By : Danito Nsubuga
With more and more tactical inventions being introduced in the modern game, coaches are reverting to playing 3 defenders at the back, the need for dynamic, ball playing and forward thinking wingbacks has risen.
Uganda premier league coaches have adopted the same style helped by the availability of players with that much needed quality.
Asaph Mwebaze has built his team on starting play from the back and Eddy Kapampa is the epitome of Maroons’ success in the 2017/18 season. They are one of the sides with the least number of games lost and achieved a record unbeaten run of 15 games.
Blessed with solidity in defence, rampaging runs down the flank and a powerful shot outside the box Kapampa has managed to register 7 assists this season and an outrageous goal scored direct from the corner against Kirinya JSS.
” I believe hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t work hard. We have worked had as a team and togetherness has helped us move places”.
Explained Kapampa on his massive improvement and strong work ethic that has seen Maroons protect their stay in the topflight.
Born of Mr Abdul Kizza Sentongo and Annet Nantume of Katende Mpigi, Kapampa is the 3rd born of a family of six.
His education background roots back from St. James Primary school Bbiina in Nakawa division, Answar high school Gayaza and Abubakar Swidiq College in Kyanja.
Growing up in a football mad community of Luzira, Kapampa was spotted by Siraje Lubega of Butabika soccer academy who ushered him into the game.
“I attribute my career genesis to coach Siraje Lubega, he picked me up playing on the bare surfaces of Luzira and guided me into how the game is played.”
From Butabika, Kapampa joined Jogoo Young, the defunct talent conveyor belt of Uganda’s record league holders. He played there between 2007 – 2012, Kira Young snapped him up and he joined them for the 2014/15 premier league season from where he joined Maroons FC.
Despite being rated among the hardest defenders in the league, Kapampa has also had his share of unyielding opposition. He rates former KCCA defender Isaac Muleme as the hardest he has faced.
“Isaac Muleme formerly of KCCA FC always gave me hard time, his forward bombarding runs and pace are not easy to deal with.”
On the player he admires most in the league, Kapampa again points no further than Lugogo.
” My friend Kizza Mustafa is the player that excites me most, he is the ultimate crosser of the ball and I like his style too.”
It’s by no coincidence that Kizza is currently the leading assister in the league with 13, Moses Waiswa 8 and Kapampa closely follows with 7. He has assisted 2 goals against Kirinya JSS, Police FC, Masavu, URA FC, Proline and Mbarara city.
With all these stats and consistency, it’s disappointing to note that Kapampa last received a call up to the national team during the CHAN qualifiers of 2018 and he also failed to make the final squad for the match against South Sudan.
“In my own opinion I think I am now ready for the national team call up because I have gained enough experience, I was the best right back in the big league season 2015/16 and I currently believe no one has performed any better. So if coach Sebastien Desabre offers me an opportunity I will gladly welcome it with open hands”
Playing professional football is the penultimate dream for every aspiring player, the right back projects to try a shot at in the near future
” Most definitely my immediate target is seeing my team cement it’s place in the premier league, perhaps even challenging for the top 4 places”.
“If any big team came calling,”If any big team came calling, I wouldn’t hesitate weighing my options but my biggest desire would be joining the paid ranks abroad”.
It’s surprising to note that Kapampa has not faced BUL FC this season, he missed the first round encounter in Luzira through injury, and the one in Jinja through suspension. The other games he has missed are the 2-0 loss to Express FC at Wankulukuku and Mbarara city in Luzira.
The right side of defence is one of the most competitive positions on any team, and it requires special attributes for one to float above the rest. If Kapampa is to make a claim for the Cranes number 2 spot, he has to out muscle Vipers’ ever green Nicholas Wadada, SC Villa’s Joseph Nsubuga, and Denis Guma all of whom are ahead of him in the pecking order.
