Season 15 of the Ntare Lions League was so exciting that every game week looked like a mini-final. The intensity of the football matches was so high as individual players strove to score, assist and register clean sheets for a chance to contend for the highly coveted NLL MVP Award.

Last season’s winner – Derrick Aine of Abashweki (who got a tatoo of the award on his chest, by the way) encouraged everyone to eye the accolade as his win meant that it did not matter whether your team is in the final.

As such, in every team; from Kasasi FC to Kabali, individuals punched in glorious numbers game by game and at a point, Brian Noowe whose team finished in 12th with a goal difference of negative 4, was leading the Playmaker’s Chart.

We witnessed sweet chemistry between Innocent Ankunda and Powell Tugeineyo of Kasasi FC who managed to get maximum points in the games that they faced both finalists; TY Omujuma and SC Kalele.

In Machando FC, Arode Ayesiga, Moses Asiimwe and Ahabwe Timothy Kante were the individuals to watch with one of them cropping up in the MVP conversation – although they didn’t make the final cut.

The awards committee was not sold this season though as they fixed their eyes on only finalists. They seemed to communicate that “well done, we have seen what you can do – but what has it helped your team to achieve?” Or, “we acknowledge your effort; but these three nominees, guys! They have outdone you all.”

The final nominated were Phillip Kagwisagye of TY Omujuma (Season top scorer and top playmaker), Romfield Ampurire of SC Kalele (top scorer for the greatest part of the season – who lost the boot on the final game week of the regular season) and Dawson Twesigye of SC Kalele whose defensive heroics earned him the title of CDF.

Teams were asked to vote for the three selected players on a 3,2, and 1 point format for first, second and third place respectively. The trophy is awarded to the player with the highest number of points. Here is how teams voted;

NLL MVP Voting.

Kashoro FC

1. Philip Kagwisagye

2. Romfield Ampurire

3. Dawson Twesigye

Mugudu FC

1. Philip Kagwisagye

2. Romfield Ampurire

3. Dawson Twesigye

Enshaza

1. Romfield Ampurire

2. Philip Kagwisagye

3. Dawson Twesigye

Kajogo FC

1. Philip Kagwisagye

2. Dawson Twesigye

3. Romfield Ampurire

Kachanchali FC

1. Philip Kagwisagye

2. Romfield Ampurire

3. Dawson Twesigye

Kisyanga FC

1. Philip Kagwisagye

2. Dawson Twesigye

Nturi FC

1. Philip Kagwisagye

2. Dawson Twesigye

3. Romfield Ampurire

Kashani FC

1. Romfield Ampurire

2. Dawson Twesigye

3. Philip Kagwisagye

SC Jabulani

1. Philip Kagwisagye

2. Romfield Ampurire

3. Dawson Twesigye

Kabali FC

1. Philip Kagwisagye

2. Dawson Twesigye

3. Romfield Ampurire

Enshaka FC

1. Dawson Twesigye

2. Romfield Ampurire

3. Philip Kagwisagye

Kasasi FC

1. Romfield Ampurire

2. Philip Kagwisagye

3. Dawson Twesigye

Abashweki FC

1. Romfield Ampurire

2. Dawson Twesigye

3. Philip Kagwisagye

FC Abazibu

1. Philip Kagwisagye

2. Romfield Ampurire

3. Dawson Twesigye

Nshera FC

1. Philip Kagwisagye

2. Dawson Twesigye

3. Romfield Ampurire

SC Ensayi

1. Dawson Twesigye

2. Philip Kagwisagye

3. Romfield Ampurire

Bonshe – Kafubz FC

1. Dawson Twesigye

2. Romfield Ampurire

3. Philip Kagwisagye

Machando FC

1. Philip Kagwisagye

SC Kalele

1. Dawson Twesigye

2. Romfield Ampurire

TY Omujuma

  1. Philip Kagwisagye

In the end, Phillip Kagwisagye emerged victorious with 46 total points, Romfield Ampurire gathered 33 points and Dawson Twesigye got 32 points.