Being the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and maintaining that status are two different tasks.
SC Villa’s Patrick Kakande finds himself in the above situation after he was named the 2023/24 Pilsner StarTimes Uganda Premier League Player of the Season.
Kakande acknowledges that the pressure is on his shoulders now but he is ready to embrace it going into the new 2024/25 campaign.
“All eyes will be on me next season to see how I will perform,” Kakande told the media after the crowing ceremony at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala on Saturday before adding, “There will be pressure along the way because everyone will want to stop me but I am ready to embrace it.”
“On an individual level, I want to do well again. I also hope to help my team as we defend our league title,” he further explained.
The 17-time league champions will be representing Uganda in the CECAFA Club Championship and the CAF Champions League and Kakande is well aware of the job ahead of them.
“We are going to be playing against tougher opponents but hopefully what we achieved last season motivates us to play better in regional and continental competitions,” he said.
“Both stages will be a good platform for each player to showcase because the more we play well and the team wins games and trophies, the better our careers will be,” he added.
On the road to success, some moments always stand out and according to Kakande his display in the Kampala Derby against Villa’s arch-rivals Express is stuck in his mind.
“I had several games where I was outstanding but the 2-1 win over Express at Wankulukuku stood out for me because they led us 1-0 before we turned it around and won it 2-1 and I was named man of the match,” he said.
The Uganda Cranes youngster concluded urging the young aspiring footballers to be patient, disciplined, and humble.
He was the most rewarded player during the Gala taking home four accolades, the Young Player of the Season award, the Players’ Player of the Season award and featured in the Best IX, in addition to the Player of the Season award.
