A crafty winger with loads of pace and an eye for goal is any coach’s dream in the modern game. Martin Otwao fits the description like a glove. Still, despite having numerous interested Ugandan clubs, he switched from Paidha Black Angels to the South Sudanese top-flight club Kator FC in December 2024.
And as expected, he’s just swept the league like a breath of fresh air, helping the mid-table club finish second on the log and also qualify for the CAF Confederations Cup in just about six months.
These electric performances have not only made him the biggest prospect in South Sudanese football but have also earned him a move to the biggest club in the land Jamus FC who have won the league and the domestic cup this season.
As if that’s not enough, the high-flying youngster has decided to switch allegiance to the youngest country in the world and sooner than later could be wearing their national colours against his motherland.
Repeating Theme?
Over the years, many Ugandan talents have switched to South Sudan as the dream to play for Uganda fades into an illusion; players like Tito Okello, Rashid Toha and Rashid Okocha have all crossed the borders and been influential there.
Fast forward, it looks like South Sudan is always lurking around for the next sparkle of talent that’s in line for a National team call up and they don’t have to wait for long, candid examples being Geriga Atendele and Joseph Dhata who could arguably be the best right backs in the SUPL.
Both players could have helped fix the position at National Team level where we gamble with Keneth Semakula and Elvis Bwomono but neither of them has stamped dominance on the position.
Otwao Martin, a Masaza cup champion with Bulemeezi and runners up with Kyaggwe is proof that we need to bridge the gap between amateur and professional football in the country as we might lose more remarkable talent in the future.
Written by: Kamanzi Bob
