Travis Mutyaba was confirmed man of the match by Uganda Premier League at Wankulukuku on Saturday afternoon.
The little Travis Mutyaba dominated the biggest Kampala derby between his own SC Villa and Express FC with exhilarating displays at the home of the UPL Champions.
The rising SC Villa star started the day with trickery which forced Express midfielder Nicholas Kasozi to foul him and get first booking.
Then again Travis Mutyaba danced his way past a forest of legs to slide the ball into Iddi Abduwahid’s path but the forward was unlucky to see his shot go inches away from the Express FC goal.
The two moments had SC Villa fans talking and comparing his trickery and running to club legend Hakim Magumba. Though some believe it is early days to start talking about him in the same breath as Magumba.
Travis Mutyaba who is under 17 years, was attracted to SC Villa following his stellar performances for the national under 17 CECAFA tournament in Rwanda where he claimed the most valuable player’s award.
The teenager managed by former SC Villa and Cranes great Eugene Ssepuya, has been instrumental in the club’s three opening games. Club official Muhammad Bazirengedde has been talking highly about his talent.
With a young coach in Greek Petros Koukouras under his watch the sky’s the limit. His critics believe he will need to add goals to his name to come close to comparison with Magumba.
It is too early to weigh the SC Villa star but to the travelling club fans they have a player who will give them reason not to miss any of the club’s games.
Travis Mutyaba has come to the club at a time when the 16 times league champions are going through a transition period that has prodigal son Omar Mandela returning to orchestrate it.
It is the best possible time for him to come to SC Villa and even dream bigger things with the club looking at the bigger picture.
Why Hakim Magumba was special
Hakim Magumba arrived at SC Villa at the end of 1997.
He helped SC Villa win seven league titles, three Uganda Cups, two Cecafa Club titles, one Hedex, Tusker and Castle Cup titles.
It was his speedy and tantalizing football style, a novelty of sorts, that made Magumba a special player.
Magumba also played for Iganga, Kira Young and Rwandan side Atraco.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LBoR_-oQSY&t=19s
Award winning journalist and writer who has worked as a stringer for a couple of acclaimed South Africa based German journalists, covered 3 Ugandan elections, 2008 Kenya election crisis, with interests in business and sports reporting.