Vipers Sports Club tactician Roberto Oliveira and Onduparaka football club talisman Shaban Muhammad Jagarson have been crowned the Pilsner coach and player of the previous month of April respectively.
At the ceremony held at Kati Kati restaurant on Thursday, both the coach and player walked away with One million Ugandan shillings (Shs 1,000,000) and a plaque.
Clinching the gong for the second successive time and third overall this 2021/2022 Uganda Premier League season, the Brazilian coach had a magical month winning all the five games for the Venoms.
In the month, Vipers saw off outgoing champions Express (3-0), Gaddafi (2-0), competitors KCCA FC (1-2), URA FC (3-0) and relegated Mbarara City (2-0) before claiming maximum points.
After overcoming Red Eagles, the Venoms were also confirmed champions of the season with four games to spare.
“I’m very happy because I’m winning this for the third time. It’s very important and my objective is winning three titles in two seasons. I have a good squad and players easily got used to my philosophy and that’s why I show my capacity,” said Oliveira.
Roberto Oliviera was named UPL’s best of April.
‘Roberinho’ had previously clinched the accolade in March this year and December last year.
He beat Bright Stars Coach Paul Kiwanuka and Onduparaka’s Dudu Bosco to the gong and prize money. Each registered three victories and drawn for their respective clubs in four outings.
For striker Shaban who had won three man of the match gongs, he overcame competition from Vipers SC forward Cesar Manzoki and KCCA FC forward Sadat Happy Anaku.
Shaban scored six goals in four games last month including a hat trick against Police FC (4-1) and a brace against Express (2-0) at Wankuluku and one against SC Villa (1-0) lifting the Caterpillars from relegation zone.
“I thank God and the Onduparaka fans because it’s not been easy basing on the way I started the journey. I’ve not done this alone, it’s been teamwork, even though we started badly, we’ve improved and now fighting for a better finish in the season,” said Ondu’s prodigal son.
Anaku scored three goals accompanied by two man of the match honors whereas Manzoki netted four goals, one assist and one man of the match award.
The Pilsner Uganda Premier League April awards will serve as a precursor to the end of the season awards due in June with two more games to wind-up the campaign.
Solomon Moloa, the National Promotions Manager at Uganda Breweries reinstated the monthly awarding ceremony aims at celebrating life.
L-R: UBL’s Solomon Moloa, Roberto Oliviera and Uganda Premier League manager Paul Kabaikaramu.
“It’s easier to celebrate life after work and I’m glad to see that we’ve washed down with happiness from the awards. In a year to two, we believe that these awards will be bigger and this is to encourage people and fans come back to the game since the fans walk away with cash,” he said.
He added, “I congratulate the winner and we commit to put in further for development. It’s getting better every time.”
Kikawa Richard Opoka also pocketed Five hundred thousand shillings (Shs.500,000) after emerging the overall winner from the predict and win fans challenge.
2021/22 Pilsner UPL Awards Monthly Winners:
October: Davis Kasirye (KCCA), Morley Byekwaso (KCCA)
November: Steven Mukwala (URA), Morley Byekwaso (KCCA)
December: Cesar Manzoki (Vipers), Roberto Oliveira (Vipers)
January/February: Steven Mukwala (URA), Sam Timbe (URA)
March: Simon Peter Oketch (BUL), Roberto Oliveira (Vipers)
April: Shaban Muhammad (Onduparaka), Roberto Oliveira (Vipers)
