The shortlist for the Airtel-FUFA male and female player of the year was recently reduced to just five nominees in the two categories following two voting phases that involved coaches and captains in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League as well as the 16 coaches for teams in the FUFA Women Super League and the FUFA Women Elite League.
The initial process helped in formulating the list that had 16 and 12 nominees for the male and female category respectively before the second phase of voting that saw the coaches and captains select the top five nominees in the two categories.
In the male category, the final five nominees include Bright Anukani (Proline FC), Allan Okello (KCCA FC), Shafic Kagimu (URA FC), Allan Kayiwa(Vipers SC) and Musitafa Kizza (KCCA FC). Anukani, regarded as the favorite, guided Proline FC to winning a double (The StarTimes FUFA Big League and the Stanbic Uganda Cup).
He was named the Most Valuable player (MVP) in the StarTimes FUFA Big League last season. KCCA FC duo of Kizza and Okello won the StarTimes Uganda Premier League, the FUFA Super Cup and the CECAFA Kagame Cup.
The trio was part of the Cranes team that qualified for the 2020 Championship of African Nations (CHAN). Kagimu and Kayiwa also had a good run in the league at URA FC and Tooro United FC respectively and the two were part of the Cranes team that qualified for CHAN.
The coaches’ and captains’ votes contribute 50% and 25% respectively in determining the winner while the fans have a contribution of 25%.
The process through which the fans can vote for their favorite player both in the male and female category will be communicated later.
The 2019 Airtel FUFA Awards dinner will be held on 14th December at Speke Resort Munyonyo where the winners in two categories will drive away in new cars.
Top five nominees
Airtel FUFA Male Player of the year
Allan Okello – KCCA FC, Allan Kayiwa – Vipers SC, Shafic Kagimu – URA FC, Msitafa Kizza – KCCA FC, Bright Anukani – Proline FC
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Airtel FUFA Female player of the year
Fauzia Najjemba – Kampala Queens, Shadia Nankya – Uganda Martyrs/ UCU Lady Cardinals, Juliet Nalukenge – Kawempe Muslim Ladies, Hasifa Nassuna – UCU Lady Cardinals, Daizy Nakaziro – Lady Doves
Other categories
Airtel FUFA Male Coach of the Year
Abdallah Mubiru (Police FC), Mutebi Mike Hillary (KCCA FC), Bisaso Shafiq (Proline FC)
Airtel FUFA Women’s football Coach of the Year
Oliver Mbekeka (Lady Doves), Ayub Khalifan Kiyingi (Kawempe Muslim Ladies), Ndaula Fred (Makerere University)
Fair Play Award (based on a number of caution during the period considered during the section)
Police FC, Maroons FC, URA FC
 Upcoming Talent Award (FUFA Juniors League)
Mugweri Gavin Kizito (SC Villa), Anaku Sadat (KCCA SA), Ssekajja Davis (Bright Stars FC JT)
Airtel FUFA Beach Soccer Player of the Year
Luboyera Herbert (Mutola), Ochero Sulaiman (St Lawrence), Mutebi Ronald (St Lawrence)
Airtel FUFA Member Associations’ Award
Uganda Beach Soccer Association (UBSA), Buganda region Football Association, KCCA Football Club
 Team Fans of the Year (FUFA Competitions)
KCCA FC, Onduparaka FC, SC Villa, Tooro United FC, Acholi Province
West Nile Province, Lango Province, Bunyoro Province
Full List of the 2019 Airtel FUFA Awards Categories:
1 – Airtel – FUFA Male Player of the Year 2019
2 – Airtel – FUFA Female Player of the Year 2019
3 – Airtel – FUFA Best XI 2019 (Men)
4 – Airtel – FUFA Best XI 2019 (Women) – New
5 – Airtel – FUFA Coach of the Year 2019
6 – Airtel – FUFA Women Football Coach of the Year – New
7 – FUFA Presidential Award
8 – Airtel – FUFA Fair Play Award 2019 (UPL)
9 – Airtel – FUFA Upcoming Talent Award 2019 (FJL)
10 – Airtel – FUFA Beach Soccer Player of the Year
11 – Airtel – FUFA Fans’ Favorite Uganda foreign based Player
12 – Best Squad (Club/National Team) of a particular Year – New
13 – FUFA Member Associations’ Award – New
14 – Team Fans of the Year (FUFA Competitions) – New
