UPDF FC Head Coach Brian Ssenyondo claims that they didn’t end the season empty handed after guiding his side to another season in the top flight.

The Army side shrugged off relegation fears to finish 13th on the log with 27 points in 28 matches, just a point above relegated Blacks Power and five better of rock bottom Onduparaka.

UPDF ended the season with a 4-1 defeat by Onduparaka at the Bombo Barracks Ground.

While Speaking on NBS Sport, Ssenyondo said that their struggles were contributed by national team commitments to some of his key players.

The gaffer also added that he had a young squad that needs more time.

“We have a younger squad, they are young but they are key players Mugisha Rogers, Abasi Kyeyune and Samson Kasozi,” Ssenyondo said.

“We had five players on the national U20 team (Uganda Hippos) – they didn’t play the first part of the first round and they were not with the team for the biggest part of the second round.

“So they costed us a lot, but we are happy that we are where we are, we managed to beat the relegation and to me that is a plus and I am proud.

The former Mbarara City tactician is confident that they will have a better season next season compared to this one since his players will have gained some experience.

“I believe next season if we are still here working together, we have built something, we are building a culture.

“When you look at our game, the way we play, the results haven’t been good but we play some good football and we play what we believe in so we have built a culture here and a philosophy that we believe can take us forward.”

Nsimbe Badru Jibril, Rashid Faridi Achumu, Abasi Kyeyune, Yiga Frank, Adriko Rogers are some of the new faces that Ssenyondo introduced to the Uganda Premier League despite playing in the regional league.

“So this being the second season for these young boys that were coming from non leagues, they had not played anywhere at the top level before.

“I believe that they have now gained enough experience, hopefully we don’t lose so many of them, we stay together and I can only guarantee people who are out there who are supporters of UPDF FC that next season will be a good season for the team.”