Ex-stars dance to Samba tunes

Kampala. Soon after losing to the Uganda Cranes 4-1 in their first match at Nakivubo, the Brazilians, who were on an East African Charity Tour to solicit funds for children born and raised in prison, the Brazilians codenamed Alem Brazil tasted victory with a 2-1 win over the Ugandan ex-internationals that were captained by Jackson Mayanja.
Fred Tamale scored Uganda’s goal during the game played at Nakivubo Stadium in July 2009. Below is the team that took to the field on that day.

Jackson Mayanja: He was the team captain. Many local soccer enthusiasts rate him as the best player of his generation. He had professional stints in Egypt and Tunisia but injury curtailed him. He has coached URA FC, KCC and Vipers, among others. He has also served as a Cranes assistant coach. Currently coaching Tanzania’s Coastal Union.

Fred Tamale: In this game, he scored Uganda’s lone goal after dummying two Brazilian defenders and their goalkeeper. Nicknamed ‘slow motion’ due to his effortless runs and dribbling skills. Locally, he played for Puma FC, Bell FC and Express, winning three league titles, three Uganda Cup trophies and the 1992 Cecafa Challenge Cup. He also played in Oman and Vietnam. He currently works at Africell Uganda’s transportation department.

Joseph Mutyaba: He played for Express, SC Villa and URA among other clubs, winning five league titles, six Uganda Cups and a Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup with The Cranes. He currently coaches Lweza FC.
Richard Makumbi: None of our local coaches has promoted more clubs to the Uganda top tier than Makumbi. He currently handles Entebbe FC and Mbogo clan.

Gibby Kalule: A robust striker for Miracle FC, Villa, KCC FC and Express, he also played in Vietnam. He is currently a player agent in Vietnam and Thailand.

Ibrahim Buwembo: His scorching pace on the left wing always left his markers shocked. Buwembo played for State House, Express (twice), Coffee FC, Simba and other clubs in Oman and Vietnam. He is currently working as an ‘agent’, linking players to clubs in the Far East.

Dan Ntale: The left-back played for Bell FC, Miracle and SC Villa before heading to Vietnam. He is into player/coach agency under his Jodana Sports Management.

Mathias Kaweesa: The only player to top the scorers’ charts for three different clubs: Nsambya in 1988, Coffee in 1991 and SC Villa in 1993. Kaweesa also played in Rwanda and Oman. He is living a quiet life in Kampala.

James Odoch: One of the most talented midfielders of his generation. Technically gifted and good at shooting with either foot, Odoch played for Express, Villa and APR (Rwanda) among others. He is the coach of JMC Hippos and is also chairman of Kisugu United.

George Ssemwogerere: A former Express and Cranes captain, Ssemwogerere was always willing to put his body on the line. His face is full of scars he sustained in bloody battles. He retired from national duty in 1999 but bounced back in 2000. At Express, he won two league titles and four Uganda Cup crowns. He has coached the national U-23 team (Kobs), Kiira Young, Tanzania’s Kagera and the Somalia national team. Currently, he’s the chairman, Uganda Ex-Internationals’ Association.

Sam Kawalya: He was the first choice when Uganda finished fourth at the 1999 All Africa Games in South Africa. Kawalya played for Nsambya, Umeme, Express, Simba and Victors plus other clubs in Vietnam. Currently an assistant coach at Express.

Squatting: Ali Ssendegeya: He played for KCC (1974), Kenya’s Bullets (1975), Coffee (1976), Express (1977-1983), Uganda Motors (1986) and Busia Park (1990). His first Cranes call-up came in 1973 and was part of the team at the 1974 Afcon in Egypt. His first major game was against Egypt in the 1976 Afcon in Ethiopia. He currently lives a quietly in Kampala and Rakai.

Obadiah Ssemakula: His quick feet and accurate crosses from the right wing earned him the ‘Musanvu w’eggwanga’ nickname. It’s no wonder that in this photo, he insisted on wearing the No.7 jersey, despite being in a different color. Currently working with Peacock Paints.

Kefa Kisala: A marauding left winger during his time at Express, Kisala was a good crosser of the ball. He is currently the national U-20 team head coach and also the assistant coach at URA.

George Nsimbe: The man nicknamed ‘Best’ was rated as one of the best holding midfielders in Uganda’s history. He joined KCC in the mid 1980s and kept his place until the late 1990s. As a coach, he led KCC to three league titles and Victors FC to a Uganda Cup. Currently unattached after leaving Tanzania’s Azam FC.

John Mandwara: He played for KCC, Umeme, Express and SC Villa and is currently into private business, running tailoring outlets in Uganda and South Sudan.

Robert Mukiibi: He played for Miracle FC, KCC, SC Villa and Kibuli United. His most memorable game in Cranes colours remains that goalless draw against Nigeria at Nakivubo in 1993 when he froze Nigerian livewire forward Rashid Yekini (RIP) for 90 minutes.

Philip Obwiny: A dead ball specialist, he could play across the back four. He played for Express, Villa, URA and Nalubaale FC. Gifted with both legs to an extent that many local football fans have up to now failed to know his ‘stronger’ leg. He won six league titles, five Uganda Cups, One Cecafa Club title and 2 Cecafa Senior challenge trophies. He is currently into private business and is the technical manager at SC Villa, Airtel Rising Stars ambassador and a member, Fufa technical committee.

Issa Ssekatawa: Nicknamed ‘Golden Boy’ for his goals, he played for Nytil FC, Express, Coffee and KCC. In 1992, Ssekatawa had quit soccer and joined timber trade but was called up and led Uganda to the Cecafa Senior Chalenge trophy. He was league top scorer in 1981, 1982 and 1983. He is currently into private business and is usually at Nakivubo in the evenings for his routine jogging.

Deus Zziwa: A former Uganda Airlines defender, Zziwa is currently based in London.

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