Edward Golola has defended the team selection against Police following Vipers’ 2-1 loss at Namboole on Saturday.
Midfielders Tom Masiko and Brian Nkuubi plus striker Tonny Odur were on the bench as the Vipers technical staff went with the young Baden Mujahid and Hassan Kalega in the starting eleven.
Masiko later came in when the two-time champions took a 54th minute but Hood Kaweesa brace turned Milton Kaliisa strike into mere consolation.
Asked why most of the ‘would’ be starters were on the bench, Golola said that performance in training and practice matches matter.
“As coaches, we look at the performance in training and not big names or someone being national team players,” he told reporters.
The players who have been performing well in training are the ones we thought about today and we don’t regret the decision because they played well.
He went ahead to explain that Hassan Kalega who assisted the visitors’ only goal is currently in fine form than Masiko.
That’s why you see Masiko and Odur were on the bench but a player like Kalega who has been excelling in our trial games played and did well.
Next on menu for Vipers SC is the home tie against Soana at Kitende on Wednesday.