VEK sets pace

 Next year's Nile Special Super League promises all the thrills By Peter Ekarot THE 2000 VEK cup that involved SC Villa, Express and eventual champions, KCC was the perfect springboard into a promising 2001 local soccer season. The three giants that provide the benchmark of Ugandan soccer displayed just a dose of what each of the teams has in store after the five-day competition where new tacticians and squads were tested. Big spending Express tipped as pre-tourney favourites finished third without any win or any goal scored. Express made major signings including a professional coach, Englishman Eddie May. KCC got a new and experienced tactician David Otti plus promising youthful players among them Kenyan striker Ramathan Musa who saw them to their first win over Villa this year. Villa with the most successful coach Paul Hasule was still expected to maintain the status quo. Express boss Godfrey Kirumira signed the nation's top striker Hassan Mubiru and James Odoch from Villa, Jamil Kyambadde and Kefa Kisala from KCC, Fred Makokha from Kenyan champions Tusker, Abed Bironse from Heroes and went for experience in Ibrahim Buwembo and Matthias Kawesa to complete what 'The Red Army' dubbed the 'Dream XI'. Express was stunned 1-0 by KCC and 2-0 to Villa. The Reds had a porous midfield where Kyambadde lacked support of pacy Yusuf Musisi. It was only youthful Bironse outstanding in the ageing defence that should give way to youngsters like Francis Gonzaga, Bust Sengendo, Johnson Kisekka as new skipper Philip Obwiny recovers. Villa, entered for the Africa Champions league, should quickly find a replacement for Mubiru to realise their dream of making the continental league. Villa beaten 3-0 and 4-1 on penalties by KCC lacked the fierce attack of Andrew Mukasa and departed Mubiru. KCC has the best midfield whose architect is Noah Kasule and defence held intact by hefty and experienced Patrick Ntege, but lack strikers. Maybe experienced Lulenti Kyeyune should be forgiven for his off-field wickedness and returns to partner Musa since out-of-sorts pair of Moses Bantu and Saidi Abed faltered. "I have new boys and we are trying to fit who plays where and how," said Hasule. Otti said: "VEK cup is good for fans, but there are lots of things I still have to do ahead of 2001 league and CAF Cup." "Express got new star players whom I have to model to play as a team. VEK cup loss should not be a setback but a learning process. I am happy it came this early and exposed all the weaknesses. However, come back next December for such an interview," said Express' May. Let's us wait for what could easily turn out as the most competitive season in recent years. Ends.