Arafat Kiza Usama
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 27 June 2004 | ||
| Place of birth | Kampala, Uganda | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | KCCA | ||
| ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:54, 14 February 2021 (UTC) | |||
Arafat Kiza Usama is a Ugandan professional football player.
Early life and youth career
[edit]Arafat Kiza Usama was born on June 27, 2004 at Mbale hospital to Mr Khassim Kiiza and Ziada Mutesi. He is a brother to Uganda Cranes goalkeeper, Ismail Watenga.[1] Inspired by his football-endowed family and friends, Usama began his football journey at a young age, showing promise and talent that would later define his professional career. He initially played for Kajjansi United, a regional league side, where he honed his skills and developed his game.[1]
Club career
[edit]Usama's impressive performance in the Masaza Cup with Busiro County caught the attention of top clubs. In 2021, he made a significant move to KCCA FC, one of the top clubs in the Uganda Premier League (UPL). In the 2023/24 season, Usama emerged as one of the standout performers for KCCA FC, attracting interest from international clubs.[2] In 2024, Egyptian Premier League club ZED FC and Moroccan club Wydad AC expressed strong interest in signing Usama, highlighting his rising profile in African football.[3][4][5][6]
International career
[edit]Usama earned his first cap for the Uganda national team on October 13, 2023, in a match against Mali. Since then, he has made two international appearances, showcasing his skills on the national stage.[7]
Playing style
[edit]As a midfielder, Usama is known for his agility, vision, and ability to control the tempo of the game. His contributions both in defense and attack make him a versatile player on the field.[8][9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b KIU. ".:: Exploring the Heights of the Beautiful Game; The incredible story of KIU soccer Star, Arafat Usama | Kampala International University, Uganda". www.kiu.ac.ug. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ "Kiza Arafat USAMA - KCCA FC". 26 June 2004. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ Admin (2024). "Egyptian Premier League club Express interest in KCCA's Arafat Usama".
- ^ Olubi (16 June 2024). "Ugandan International Usama Nears Switch to Egyptian Top-Tier Side ZED FC". thenerveafrica.com. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ Bbosa, Denis (2024). "NextGen battle for gong, bright future".
- ^ Olubi (6 August 2024). "Usama Arafat Holds Trials with Moroccan Giants Wydad AC Ahead of Possible Move". thenerveafrica.com. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ Sports, Pulse (14 October 2023). "Usama Arafat: Ismail Watenga salutes young brother on making Uganda Cranes debut". Pulse Sports Uganda. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ Byemboijana, Muhamadi (2 May 2024). "Usama Arafat's Brace Leads KCCA FC to victory Over SC Villa at Namboole". SoftPower News. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ Isabirye, David (1 August 2021). "Arafat Usama: KCCA officially unveils stylish playmaker". Kawowo Sports. Retrieved 20 November 2024.