Bisaso finds redemption in Masaza Cup

KAMPALA. In football, it is every coach’s dream to win trophies with giant teams. Take Express, SC Villa, KCCA and Vipers, to mention but a few here in Uganda.
For Shafiq Bisaso, 38, this dream was on course when he was appointed SC Villa coach in 2016 – his first topflight job – by then club president Ben Misagga.
Bisaso’s coming to Villa was hatched by Misagga’s assistant Peter Ssenkungu, also former publicity secretary of Masaka Local Council FC. In Bisaso, Ssenkungu saw a youthful coach with a burning passion and energy that could guide Villa to further heights in the Uganda Premier League.
However, all that praise died as quickly as it came when the weight of expectation engulfed Bisaso. Hastily, the criticism set in for the coach that started his tenure with a soothingly 2-1 against Saints in October 2016.
By the time they drew 2-2 with Lweza at home in February 2017, Misagga, now at Nyamityobora, was happy to pull the trigger. Bisaso was relieved of his duties on February 23 that year.
Bisaso, however, is natural go-getter even though his soft tone belies that character. He is motivated by the works of his grandfather Sumini Luyiga and Proline director Mujib Kasule. He was also nurtured by Police coach Abdallah Mubiru.
After, his sacking at Villa, he quickly moved on to coach Soana, Bul and Express, where he was appointed head coach in November 2017.
But all those were short stints. At Express, in particular, it was a repeat of past disappointments as his monthly salary and the player’s performance altogether could not motivate him to think beyond his measures.
The former Umeme striker, left Express on July 25 sinking into what many termed ‘mediocrity’ by taking on coaching duties at Big-League outfit Proline FC in August. Sometimes you have to fall to rise again.
Much as this stint has equally been marred by depression and disappointments, Bisaso, has found redemption coaching part time in Buganda’s football tournament, Masaza Cup.
At a fully-packed Mandela National Stadium – Namboole last Saturday, the former Taiffa Ja Gombe (Zanzibar) midfielder won his fourth trophy in the competition guiding Mityana-based team Singo to their second title since 2004.
Bisaso, who hang his playing boots at Victors in 2006 and started coaching at Nakivubo Boys in 2007 has also won with Gomba (2009, 2014) and Singo (2015).
“I haven’t given up on league football. This year I am working so hard to improve in all aspects of the game despite the past bad luck,” Bisaso, who is born to Sulaiman Mugwanyi and Maria Zawedde, shares.
“What I know is that am not that bad. I won Masaza Cup a few days ago which is a clear indicator that the Bisaso you knew before has kept on evolving,” the Makindye born Bisaso, wholly dressed in black, revealed in an interview with SCORE.