The Inaugural I.S.A. League season, spanning June to September, concluded with Harambe Stars claiming the championship crown with an impressive 24 points. Fueled by a potent attack and standout individual brilliance, the Stars outshone a competitive field. Let’s relive the season’s highs, heroes, and surprises!
Champions Crowned – Harambe Stars Shine
Harambe Stars dominated with 7 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss, boasting a +14 goal difference. A trio of standout players drove their success:
- Joel Ssengendo led the charge with 4 goals and 1 assist, including a pivotal role in the 4-2 win over Taibah Spartanz (Match Day 2).
- David Tombe added 3 goals and 1 assist, showcasing versatility in key matches like the 3-0 win against Tank Hill Titans (Match Day 3).
- Richard Kayima contributed 1 goal and 3 assists, proving his playmaking prowess despite a yellow card.
Their defensive stability, anchored by Jordan Bagambe’s 5 clean sheets, helped secure the title, edging out KISU Lions (21 points) and Aga Khan 47z (20 points).
Top Scorers Steal the Spotlight
The goal-scoring charts were topped by three players tied at 7 goals each:
- Themba Nkesiga (Taibah Olympians), whose 7 goals couldn’t lift his team beyond 9th place (-3 GD).
- Arafat Mugezi (Taibah Spartanz), a mid-table hero with 7 goals and 1 yellow card, notably in the 4-0 rout of Rainbow OG’s (Match Day 2).
- Ibra Mubiru (KISU Lions), whose 6 goals and 1 assist bolstered his team’s second-place finish.
Assists and Defensive Heroes
- Stefano Loro (ISU Leopards) led assists with 9, paired with 2 goals, despite 2 yellow cards, highlighting his creative influence.
- Lee Okot (Aga Khan Supa Strykaz) notched 5 goals and 5 assists, a dual threat in a team that finished 7th.
- Clean sheet kings included Aqeel Parpia (Aga Khan 47z) with 6, Jordan Bagambe (Harambe Stars) with 5, and Chisamo Elisha (Vienna Titans) with 5, reflecting the league’s defensive strength.
Upsets and Lowlights
Rainbow OG’s struggled with a -19 goal difference and two forfeits (Match Days 8 and 12), with only Francis Babu (1 goal) and Daniel Kiwanuka (1 goal, 1 assist) offering flickers of hope. Eddy Muleme’s red card (Harambe Stars) and Ronald’s own goal (Rainbow OG’s) added drama to an unpredictable season.
Harambe Stars’ offensive firepower and defensive resilience crowned them 2024 champions. With the All-Star Games and Match Day 12 wrapping up the season, the stage is set for 2025.
Will Themba Nkesiga, Arafat Mugezi or Ibra Mubiru lead a challenge again? Share your predictions!
The I.S.A League Insider 