AFTER a difficult 2023/24 season, Kagera Sugar would have hoped for a more positive start to the new Premier League campaign. However, just three matches into the 2024/25 season, the situation looks grim for the club.

With three straight losses, zero points, and no goals scored, Kagera Sugar finds itself at the bottom of the league table. The team has quickly garnered the reputation of being the Premier League’s crisis club - if there can be such a thing so early in the season.

Coach Paul Nkata’s side began their campaign with a 1-0 home defeat to Singida Black Stars. The loss was particularly harsh, as it came in the final minute of a match that looked set to end in a draw. 

Despite dominating possession with 55% and managing five attempts on target, Kagera Sugar couldn’t find the back of the net.

Their misery was compounded when reigning champions Young Africans defeated them 2-0, inflicting a second consecutive home defeat. 

Kagera Sugar’s performance was lackluster, registering just 38% possession and a single shot on target, while Young Africans controlled the game.

In their third match, Tabora United handed Kagera Sugar a 1-0 loss, extending the club’s winless streak. 

As it stands, the Millers have conceded four goals and scored none, with just ten shots on target across three games. 

They also hold a meager average of 44% possession, while their opponents have racked up 23 shots against them.

Heading into matchday four, the team is facing immense pressure. Nkata (pictured), who took charge in preseason, must find a way to turn things around quickly, as another defeat could jeopardize his future at the club. 

Kagera Sugar’s position at the bottom of the table, coupled with a string of poor performances, has left them staring down the barrel of a difficult season.

The opening three games show that under Nkata, Kagera Sugar are clearly a work in progress. However, selling that idea to the fans is tough. Supporters have grown frustrated after witnessing three consecutive seasons where the team has flirted with relegation.

In the 2023/24 season, Kagera Sugar narrowly avoided the drop, finishing just two points above the relegation zone. Similarly, in 2022/23, the team finished 10th but only two points outside the bottom four. 

As a result, many are concerned that this season will be yet another battle for survival.

While it’s still early days, the signs aren’t encouraging. Kagera Sugar’s slow start cannot be viewed in isolation - it seems to be part of a recurring trend of underperformance. If their form doesn’t improve, the team could find itself in a prolonged relegation battle.

Namungo FC, who have also lost all three of their opening matches, are in a similar predicament. Both teams will need significant improvements to avoid being drawn into an early-season relegation scrap.