Tactician Kabonge brings another team to topflight

Magic Wand. Kabonge has led Masavu to the topflight league a year after he inspired Onduparaka.
PHOTO By EDDIE CHICCO

What you need to know:

  • SOCCER. Despite leading Masavu to the Uganda Premier League, Kabonge is not sure whether he will be in charge of the newly promoted team as he does not possess the mandatory Caf B licence for coaches.

KAMPALA.

After their rivals Mbarara City lost 4-2 to Airtel Kitara in Hoima last month, Masavu Football Club clinched promotion to Uganda Premier League (UPL).
The Entebbe-based side’s qualification is attributed to the 29-year old Allan Kabonge’s exceptional coaching skills, which also saw him having Onduparaka and Arum Roses qualifying for this season’s premier league. However, Kabonge is not sure whether he will be in charge of the newly promoted team as he doesn’t possess the mandatory Caf B licence for UPL coaches.
“Now that we are headed for the UPL, I’m looking for money to enroll for the June Caf B licence intake and God willingly at the start of next season (in August) I will be done,” he said.

Background
Born to Ronald Kasasa Kasujju and Agnes Nalweyiso of Mityana, Kabonge went to St Andrew Kaggwa, St Ann P/S, St Jude SSS and Bishop Sisto Mazolidi before halting his education quest after senior six.
He started playing league football while in Senior Three donning Mityana Utoda colours and later joined Jogoo Young, Victors, Express, Old Timers, Chemili Sugar and Agro Chemical (both Kenya), AS Kigali and Mungano (DR Congo) as a versatile attacking midfielder.
Kabonge, who says he was close to going to France for trials with Lyon, sustained a knee injury that forced him into early retirement.
“I started coaching right away at my soccer academy known as Lake Victoria Soccer Academy in Entebbe, which now acts as the feeder side for Masavu. I have since coached Nkumba University, Busiro, Arum Roses, Red Cross, Kisubi, Masavu and Onduparaka,” he adds.
“Truth be told, I am the football Messiah who will help the national team win honours.” It was in Arua with Onduparaka that Kabonge’s name gained prominence when he led the caterpillars to the UPL and the Uganda Cup finals which they lost 3-1 to Vipers at Nakivubo.
“After that achievement, a fan offered me a piece of land in Arua where I’m growing mangoes, potatoes and sugar canes for sale. I will never forget the hospitality I received there,” he revealed.

How they did it
In simple terms, Masavu swept aside opponents in the Fufa Big League Rwenzori Group, losing only twice in 22 games. “Some fans call me Illuminati because of my tactics of winning matches. I’m a born winner who predicted that we shall progress with three games to spare,” Kabonge told SCORE.
He is an ardent fan of the counter-attacking 4-2-3-1 and 3-5-2 systems and believes few teams have plans to halt it.
With Shaqil Ssekito, Brian Nsubuga, Lawrence Bakiranze and Moses Kiggundu in defence, Solomon Wafula and skipper Henry Kiwa in midfield, the attacking cast of Kenneth Tumusiime, Onesmus Andama, Sadala Dumba, Charles Odeke and Kato Kawuma combined to ensure Masavu’s well-oiled machine marched towards the elite division.

Way forward
Getting to the league is one thing but avoiding immediate relegation is another. Will Masavu stay for long or follow other Entebbe based sides such as Entebbe Young, Uganda Airlines and that hurriedly kissed the UPL good bye? “We are not going to go big in the transfer market because we trust our players. We may add about three experienced players and expect to compete for the title next season,” Kabonge revealed.

Challenges
Lack of sponsors, wanting match officials and lack of respect for coaches are some of the major challenges Kabonge says he encountered on his journey to the UPL.
Kabonge is not a saint though; he has just served a two match ban for abusing a referee and was suspended by the club management in December over salary grievances.

Kabonge at a glance

Full name: Allan Kabonge Kivewala
Nationality: Ugandan
Marital status: Single
Studied: St Andrew Kaggwa, St Ann P/S, St Jude SSS and Bishop Sisto Mazolidi
Clubs played for : Mityana Utoda, Jogoo Young, Victors, Express, Old Timers, Chemili Sugar and Agro Chemical (both Kenya), AS Kigali and Mungano (DR Congo)
Teams Promoted: Arum Roses, Onduparaka and Masavu
Qualifications: Caf C license