Mubiru-Nsimbe’s combo at Vipers under spotlight

KAMPALA.

They say two bulls cannot live in the same kraal.
At Vipers, there are three bulls each with an immense ego to massage and it is causing great concern amongst football stakeholders ahead of the Azam Uganda Premier League (UPL) resumption on August 19.

On Monday, Vipers owner Lawrence Mulindwa went for the jugular appointing Abdallah Mubiru as the head coach to be assisted by his former boss George ‘Best’ Nsimbe and two-time league winning coach Edward Golola. Granted, Mubiru owns the prestigious Caf license ‘A’ coaching certificate that Nsimbe and Golola still dream of but the duo possesses valuable coaching experience than the former Proline and KCCA manager.

For the last 10 years, Vipers’ playing style has mostly fitted players from their Kitende academy and any coach from outside that setting has struggled to settle in – as Nsimbe and Nigeria Ambrose Chukuma can attest.

That said, Mubiru seems to be the right person for Mulindwa’s revised club direction – mainly to produce players for export like Farouk Miya.

Attractive football
“It’s not only about winning trophies but graduating more players for export and cultivating attracting football that has been lacking. Unlike KCCA and Villa, we have been lacking a football identity which explains the few fans and no sponsors. That should change under Mubiru,” Mulindwa said at Imperial Resort Hotel in Entebbe on Monday.

Mubiru was axed at KCCA in June last year for allegedly favouring young players ahead of experienced stars and playing to entertain.

Nsimbe, on the other hand, won three league trophies working with the tried and tested crop of players always looking to deploy the end justifies the means approach. This offers a sharp contrast in their coaching styles.

“I know how to deal with Nsimbe and the mutual respect between us will only make the team stronger. We cannot dwell on the positions issue yet other teams in the league are plotting for us,” Mubiru told SCORE.

Ready to work
Golola and Nsimbe say they are ready to work under Mubiru, an argument that is supported by former KCCA coach Matia Lule.

“They will make a lethal coaching combo because they know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. In coaching, the head coach must consult his deputies in all aspects, if he is to succeed,” says Lule. Sam Ssimbwa, who played with Mubiru and Nsimbe at KCCA and Uganda Cranes, believes their coaching pact’s durability will depend on Nsimbe’s attitude.

“If Mubiru calls all the shots at the club, Nsimbe will feel useless working under his former junior and jump on the next job opportunity,” Ssimbwa prophesied.