Exactly four years, one month and 22 days back, massively versed right-back Nicholas Wakiro Wadada made his last appearance in a Uganda Cranes shirt. At the time, Uganda suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat at the hands of Malawi in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Following the length hiatus, ‘Wada Man’ as he’s so often dubbed, has returned, making the cut in Uganda Cranes’ squad for the forthcoming international friendlies against five-time AFCON champions Cameroon and Gambia, slated for June 6th and 9th, respectively.
While he’s been away from the national team fold, his performances on the pitch have been more present than not, across his spells at Azam FC, Ihefu and Singida Black Stars in Tanzania.
However, it’s his most recent displays at Vipers SC since his return that have caught the eye. Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Joseph Put has particularly been impressed. The gaffer has built himself a reputation of rewarding hard work, and summoning on merit.
Congratulations Nico Wakiro Wadada for being named the best defender in the Tanzania Premier League. Wadada plays for @azamfc
📸 @Tanfootball pic.twitter.com/JSTMdJxBnA— FUFA (@OfficialFUFA) August 7, 2020
Like he did close to a decade back, Wadada continues to throw his life on the line every time he gets selected – running the line, offering defensive cover, and creating scoring opportunities from the right wing, or rather, creating situations in the offensive.
Wadada has been pivotal in leading Vipers to a seventh Uganda Premier League championship, despite making 15 appearances. Co-coaches John Luyinda and Fred Muhumuza have used him sparingly, calling on his expertise during the biggest battles.
It’s hard to tell whether it was a tough decision for Paul Put, having to turn to a player, who hasn’t been in the fold for over four years. His excellence vis-a-vis shortage in the position, have played such a crucial part.
Veterans of the Uganda Premier League.
Saidi Kyeyune(Express) against Nicholas Wadada(Vipers).@UPL @OfficialFUFA pic.twitter.com/JbqYsj6Niz— BataImages (@BataImages) April 12, 2025
The country continues to struggle in the position in recent years. Ironically, the last the Cranes had an out-and-out right-back, was Wadada. During his prime, he juggled it with the versatile Denis Iguma. The two came in as successors to the legendary Simeon Masaba.
The latter years have produced the likes of Gavin Kizito, Kenneth Semakula and Elvis Bwomono. Timothy Awany, who is primarily a central defender, has quite a time stood in.
Kizito, who is a ‘project’ player has failed to stamp the position as his own since his breakthrough four years back. Semakula has often been deployed as a midfielder, having struggled on the right side of the defence.
URA FC’s James Begisa, who is arguably the most talented of the lot, satisfied his life’s desires and seems disinterested.
