One of Muhammed Shaban’s teammate has confirmed talks between Uganda Premier League defending champions Vipers SC and Ouduparaka FC but insists nothing is signed. ‘I don’t know what will happen…’
Muhammad the new Fufa Big League MVP has been linked with the Buikwe side after over three years at current Uganda Cup semifinalists Onduparaka and his friend, Charles, revealed the talks but explained there isn’t a resolution yet.
“It’s true there are negotiations [with Vipers] but nothing has been finalised yet,” he said after Sunday evening’s 2-0 defeat to Kirinya-Jinja who will be promoted as Big League champions.
“He should be happy to have captained such a strong League at 18. He played so many games for Oudaparaka. Few at his age have done that. But it’s hard to refuse to play for Mr. Mulindwa (Vipers owner) because he has been educating him for free at St. Mary’s Kitende and has knack of paying millions of money to acquire the best players countrywide.
National Under-20 team striker Shaban’s teammates at Kitende Frank Tumwesigye, Pius Wanji, Bayo Ali are all already signed up by Vipers
“[Shaban] wants to keep in Arua but the club believes it will be hard to keep him after such a great season. Even Arua Municipality MP Bernard Atiku, Kachumbari who bankrolls the club is also ready to pay him for another year and help them do well in super league. It’s hard to find a club serious about young players a chance especially when they are still students. I don’t know what will happen.”
Onduparaka announced their arrival on the Ugandan soccer scene by eliminating title holders SC Villa in the Uganda Cup round of 16 last month before claiming another scalp in the frame of topflight side Soana 1-0 in the quarterfinals.
Proline return two years after demotion
Meanwhile, Proline Soccer Club became the third club to join the topflight league after winning the promotional play-off 4-1 against Lira’s Sporting United at Nakivubo Stadium.
Baker Mbowa’s side joined Onduparaka and Kirinya-Jinja S.S as the three sides promoted starting with the season of 2016/17.
