Newly promoted side Kyetume FC’s trip back to the StarTimes Uganda Premier League may be over before the whistle goes.
Kyetume, who earned straight promotion back to the top flight after a season in the second division face the possibility of relegation to the third division.
The trouble for the Slaughters is that they are yet to fulfil a crucial requirement regards club licensing, with the club failing to register at least 18 players as required before licensing.
The bombshell of Kyetume’s eminent relegation was dropped by SUPL Chief Executive Bernard Bainamani during a live interview on NBS Sport’s Sport This Morning.
“Kyetume will be relegated to the third division,” Bainamani declared, adding; “The club has not yet quite fulfilled the minimum licensing requirements for a club in the top flight.”
“They have been written to, but do have a chance to appeal the relegation by Monday (August 22).”
Licensing continues to be a challenge for many of the top-flight clubs, with up to half of the clubs that will take part in the 2022/23 season handed fines for failing to meet licensing deadlines.
For Kyetume’s part, the challenge comes from them failing to satisfy registration details with the club said to have only three registered players on the FIFA Connect system, way below the required number of 18.
The Slaughters remain cognizant of the challenge they are facing with licensing for the top flight, and promised to explore every avenue there is to secure their top-flight future.
Kyetume FC chief executive Martin Namugera said: “Our issues have been with passports of the players. But we have until Monday, August 22 to appeal and put everything in order.”
It is not yet clear what the decision from the Federation of Uganda Football Associations will be regarded who the replacements will be should their relegation be upheld.
But early signs show that Kataka FC could be among the teams that could be considered for promotion to the top flight.
