YOUNG Africans enjoyed a triumphant night at the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Awards on Thursday, with Stephanie Aziz Ki clinching the coveted Most Valuable Player accolade for the 2023/2024 season.

The attacking midfielder edged out closest rival Feisal Salum, despite the latter's impressive 19-goal tally in the just-ended Premier League season. Aziz Ki's 21 goals and eight assists proved decisive.

Young Africans’ dominance extended to the dugout with Miguel Gamondi receiving the Best Coach award for guiding the team to the Premier League title.

While the club's accolades were celebrated, a notable omission from the Best XI raised eyebrows. Khalid Aucho (pictured), a key figure in Young Africans’ midfield, was absent from the team of the season for the third consecutive year. 

The star-studded lineup of the season includes Ley Matampa, Koussia Yao, Mohamed Hussein, Ibrahim Hamad, Dickson Job, Mudathir Yahya, Salum, Maxi Nzengeli, Aziz Ki, Waziri Junior, and Kipre Junior Zunon.

Aucho's exclusion from the NBC Premier League Best XI for another consecutive year has ignited fresh controversy among football fans. While the contributions of teammates like Nzengeli and Yahya, especially his clutch goals, are undeniable, many question the fairness of the selection process and the metrics used.

A surprising choice for the league's Best XI, Nzengeli, a natural left-winger, excelled in a central midfield role last season. Regularly deployed as a number eight, he showcased remarkable adaptability and contributed significantly to Young Africans’ success. Nzengeli's impressive tally of 10 league goals underlines his offensive threat from midfield, while his ability to control the tempo of games demonstrated his versatility and importance to the team.

Aucho's role as a defensive midfielder, often overshadowed by more attacking-minded teammates, may have contributed to his overlook. Nonetheless, his consistent performances and importance to Young Africans’ success warrant recognition per fans’ verdict on various social media platforms. 

The 30-year-old powerful-built Ugandan international is widely recognized for his exceptional passing accuracy and ability to make precise decisions on the ball. However, his overall impact on the game has been a subject of debate leading to his absence in the league accolades.

Young Africans boast a talented midfield, with players like Salum Abubakar and the recently signed Duke Abuya showcasing their abilities. Despite the competition, coach Gamondi continues to trust Aucho's contributions. While Aucho's role in recovery and distributing the ball is invaluable, the demands of modern football require more from midfielders. 

To elevate his status and contend for individual awards, he must expand his repertoire beyond passing accuracy and add more offensive statistics. Age may pose certain physical limitations, but the pursuit of accolades necessitates overcoming these challenges.

While Aucho excels in distribution and tempo control in matches, his defensive contributions and offensive output have been relatively modest. Despite being primarily a defensive midfielder, his defensive actions have been inconsistent, and his involvement in goals and assists is notably low. While acknowledging he has a different player profile, he needs to emulate Yahya's attacking contributions to boost his award prospects if this is what the fans want after achieving trophies at the end of the season.

Yannick Bangala's 2020/2021 MVP win as a defender highlights the possibility of exceptional performance in non-traditional attacking roles. However, Aucho isn't currently Young Africans’ standout player. To be named the league's best or make the Best XI, a player must excel in their position. 

Sharing the midfield with Yahya, Aucho's role is primarily defensive. Yahya's impressive goal-scoring record overshadowed Aucho's output last season, especially considering Young Africans’ dominant possession. Although Aucho is a crucial link, Yahya's end product was superior, contributing to his selection in the best team.

The midfield positions in the Best XI were fiercely contested this season. Players like Salum, with his impressive 19 goals and defensive versatility, and Aziz Ki, who excelled in an attacking midfield role, made strong cases for inclusion. Ultimately, Aziz Ki's standout performance, marked by 21 goals and eight assists, secured him the Best Midfielder Award and League MVP. The high level of competition in the midfield positions makes it difficult to argue for the exclusion of any of the selected players to accommodate Aucho.

It's important to remember that awards are often based on statistical contributions and team success. While Aucho is a valuable player for Young Africans, his statistics did not compare favorably to those of the midfielders who made the Best XI. Yahya, Salum, Ki, Kipre  Junior, and Nzengeli had a better league season as midfielders than the Uganda Cranes vice-captain.

A complete midfielder needs more than just distribution. The capacity to contribute offensively and defensively is crucial for players aiming for top honors. Despite publicly downplaying individual awards, Aucho must strive for all-around improvement to elevate his game.

Aucho's role at Young Africans is undeniably valuable. His influence often goes beyond personal statistics, as he creates opportunities for teammates to shine. His exceptional passing range and ability to dictate the tempo of a game are unquestionable assets. 

However, the modern game demands a more multifaceted midfield role. While Aucho excels in controlling the flow of play, his defensive responsibilities and offensive contributions might not match the criteria for some of the league's top honors.