Soltilo Bright Stars FC midfielder Marvin Youngman is one of the local-based players that was called up for national team duty as Uganda Cranes kicked off early preparations for the 2023 AFCON Qualifiers.
It is a well-deserved call up and a great reward for the player who has put in a stellar performance in the league despite the relegation monster trying to eat up his club.
One of his main highlights came on February 25 2022 when he scored the only goal as Soltilo Bright Stars shockingly eliminated KCCA FC out of the Stanbic Uganda Cup at the round of 32 at Lugogo.
His goal was a beauty; He made a timely run to receive a cut back from Ibrahim Kasinde, hit it first time with his strong right foot to leave KCCA FC experienced custodian Benjamin Ochan stunned.
Marvin played like a wounded lion on the day but he always puts up such performances for his club.
He has scored a couple of them but goals do not completely describe his contribution for an industrious player who involves his teammates, blocks plays by opponents and creates chances. He is a gem.
Many who saw him back as a toddler are not surprised by his progress but rather certain that he is yet to hit his ceiling.
The story of Youngman’s meteoric rise can be traced way back to 2015 when he helped Kitara Region crowned champions at the Airtel Rising Stars, a tournament organised for players under the age of 17 competed for by football regions in the country.
Youngman, playing for Friends of Soccer Academy, was taken to play in Hoima and later selected among the best in Kitara to represent the region in National Championship Finals.
He also played for Hima FC right from the District league to the Kitara regional League.
At the Nationals, playing with the likes of John ‘Tooki’ Byamukama (Express FC), helped the side go all the way and beat Kampala Region 4-3 in shootouts final.
It was the same tournament that produced the likes of Bobosi Byaruhanga, Allan Okello, Goffin Oyirwoth among others.
Those who never watched him play at Airtel Rising Stars, got a chance to catch him shine during the popular Airtel Masaza Cup.
He got a bronze medal in 2018 while playing for Busujju after finishing third at Namboole. Busujju beat Buwekula team that had the likes of his current teammate at Bright Stars Jamil Kisitu Nvule.
The following year, in 2019, he was acquired by Bulemeezi and went on to help the side win the Masaza cup.
He played 82 minutes for Bulemeezi and gave Busujju’s team that had the likes of Rogers Adriko, Ivan Sserubiri, Ivan Mayanja, Allan Tebusweke, Mikidad Ssenyonga, Andrew Kigozi among others a torrid time.
His meteoric rise saw him join the paid ranks at Soltilo Bright Stars in October 2020, then signing a two-year contract for what proved to be a big platform for the versatile player.
One and a half seasons down the road, Youngman has already impressed many including the National team head coach Milutin Sredojevic.
The midfielder remembers: ‘When I was summoned to the National team, I wasn’t really aware of the news until when Paul Kiwanuka (Bright Stars Head coach) called me in front of my teammates and broke the good news to me, it was euphoric. I then later found everything on social media’ said Marvin.
Marvin featured for Uganda Cranes in the regional tour match against Buganda Select team at Naama Playground in Mityana.
‘Being part of the national team means a lot to me because it is has been one of my childhood dreams. It is a manifestation that hard work pays. I want to be a main stay and it presents me with an opportunity to showcase what I can do and also get motivated’ added Marvin.
The future is so bright for Youngman, and his new adventure with the Uganda Cranes is a new seed of hope planted in many young players starting out in different regions of the country to work hard and chase their dreams.
Marvin Joseph, sixth born in a family of 15 children, was inspired to play football by his brother Oscar Johnson Youngman.
‘My brother used to play for an Academy called Friends of Soccer, every time he could take me to watch him train, I later picked interest in the game before I joined school; said Marvin
‘I later told my brother that I wanted to start playing football. He then took me to Friends of Soccer Academy under coach Gore Muhammad’
Marvin is fresh from Uzbekistan where Uganda Cranes played two matches in which he featured.
Marvin is fresh from Uzbekistan where he featured in two games with Uganda Cranes an experience that he says will further push him to chase his goals.
‘It was a fantastic experience playing with Uganda Cranes at the Navruz cup in Uzbekistan. The atmosphere was amazing, the teams we played were competitive and gave us a good run for our money. I must say I learnt a lot in the few days from both the tournament and my teammates especially the foreign based players who always gave me advice football wise, financially and professionally.
The trip to Uzbekistan was Marvin’s first time and experience to travel by air something he says made him develop goose bumps.
‘It was really a good feeling for me but first I was scared until when I put it in mind that yes it is me on board. My friend Bayo Fahad comforted me a lot and told me it is the first time of the many to come given my ability something that inspired me since then. It was my first time to board a plane. I will always cherish the memories. I thank my club for giving me the opportunity to play for them. These are fruits of hard work but I still have a duty with my teammates to make sure we remain in the top flight. You will see a different Bright Stars for the rest of the season.
Marvin will be hoping to bring back his good form to the StarTimes Uganda Premier League to help his beloved club Soltilo Bright Stars shine and move out of the relegation zone.
Marvin’s Profile
Name – Marvin Joseph Youngman
Age – 23
Place of Birth – Fort Portal
Tribe – Mutooro
Father – Michael Asaba
Mother – Eve Asaba
Schools attended- St Charles Lwanga (Nursery), Buhinga Primary School, Fort Portal SS, Kibiito SS, St Juliana High, Masaka SS
Clubs: Friends of Soccer Academy (Fort Portal), Hima FC (Kasese), Busujju, Bulemezi (Saza teams) and Soltilo Bight Stars FC
