The 2020/2021 Star Times Uganda Premier League got under way on Thursday. 3rd. December. 2020 and unpacked a lot surprises before it took a break after match day five.

It all started with teams playing to empty stadia but this didn’t stop the teams from treating their fans who were watching on Television (Sanyuka TV) to unpredictable competition featuring a number free goal scoring game thrillers as well as a few stunning upsets.

On day one; Soltilo Bright Stars Football Club hosted KCCA Football Club and lost 2-1. KCCA FC scored through Brain Aheebwa and Samuel Ssenyonjo while Joseph Akandwanaho pulled one back for the hosts.

From Match Day 1 to Match Day 5, all the action was lively with some teams exceeding expectations while others underachieved, and there were a bunch of players who impressed in the opening fixtures.

The Star Times Uganda Premier League took a break to pave way for the Uganda Cranes team of local based players to prepare for the January 2021 AFCON Finals in Cameroon.

Before the return of the league in February 2021, here are some observations after Match Day 5 in Uganda’s top flight league.

Goals, goals, goals

Goals started flowing in as attacks constantly found new ways to exploit defensive weaknesses.

In 38 games, a total of 117 goals have been registered with only 2 games ending goalless.

On Match Day 1, out of the 7 games that were played, only one game, Police Football Club Vs Wakiso Giants Football Club ended goalless. The rest produced a total of 16 goals.

On Match Day 2, out of the 7 games played, 1 game ended goalless and from the other 6 games, 29 goals were registered.

On Match Day 3, there were goals in all the 8 games totaling to 23 goals.

On Match Day 4 again, there were goals in all the 8 games totaling to 21 goals.

On Match Day 5 again, there were goals in all the 8 games totaling to 28 goals.

Out of the 38 games played, 6 games produced 5 goals plus.

So believe it or not, when the league returns, the fans will be more than ready to flock the stadia to cheer and push their teams to scoring and winning more games.

Debutants impress at their new teams:

We witnessed a number of star performances from players making their debuts.

In game one Brain Aheebwa and Samuel Ssenyonjo scored for KCCA FC against Soltilo Bright Stars Football Club. Aheebwa has 7 goals to his name while Ssenyonjo is on 4 goals.

Muhammed Shabban on his official debut for Vipers Sports Club scored against Wakiso Giants Football Club. The game ended in a 1 all draw.

Denis Iguma has been outstanding in defensive for KCCA Football Club.

Brian Kalumba was on fire at UPDF FC and has 6 goals to his name.

State leaning teams start on a high,

Teams with an attachment to state organizations or institutions started well and they indeed occupy the first four positions on the league table.

UPDF Football Club are on top with 12 points; played 5 games; won 4 games and lost 1 games.

UPDF have scored 11 goals and conceded 3 goals.

URA Football Club are second with 11 points; played 5 games; won 3 games and drawn 2 games.

URA have scored 7 goals and conceded 3 goals.

Police Football Club are third with 10 points; played 5 games; won 3 games, drawn 1 game and lost 1 game.

Police have scored 11 goals and conceded 2 goals.

KCCA Football Club are fourth with 9 points; played 5 games; won 3 games drawn and lost 2 games.

KCCA have scored 14 goals and conceded 5 goals.

Of the four, UPDF and Police looked very organized, composed on the ball, and did not shy away from taking risks in attack.

League debutants struggling:

MYDA Football Club and Kitara Football Club have had a miserable start on their debut season.

MYDA have 1 point from 4 games played; drawing 1 game and losing 3 games.

MYDA are 14th of 16 on the league table with 1 point; have scored 8 goals and conceded 12 goals.

Kitara have 1 point from 5 games played; drawing 1 game and losing 4 games.

Kitara are 16th of 16 on the league table with 1 point; have scored 4 goals and conceded 16 goals.

The big debate about these two after match day 5 is whether they would be able to survive in the Star Times Uganda Premier League.

Most entertaining game of the first five Match Days:

KCCA FC’s demolishing of Onduparaka Football Club 8-0 at the MTN Omondi Stadiium, Lugogo and Busoga United Football Club’s 5-3 home loss to Vipers Sports Club at the FUFA Technical Centre were undoubtedly the most entertaining game of the first five Match Days.

There is still a long way to go but the atmosphere around 2020/2021 season is that of great football, competition, entertainment and obviously some setbacks.

All the teams have a lot to think about as they wait to return to action in February 2021.