Guiding Gomba has been challenging, says Kirya

KAMPALA. When former Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) head coach Ibrahim Kirya took over Gomba team from Simon Ddungu, there were many naysayers.
There were many negative chants of ‘Kirya who?’
Many critics went on saying that Is this the Kirya that SC Villa and URA sacked as head coach?
“No, we’ve made a big mistake,” those were some of the lingering cries and questions asked by fans after his employment.

Unknown quality
The Caf C coaching license holder Kirya, 47, was not known in circles of Masaza Cup not even among the list of trophy winners in the County-based championship.
So, coping up with such pressure was always going to be a heavier load to be carried by his shoulders.
But through players; Musa Kuzaifa, Frank Ndugwa and Allan Sserunga, who has scored four goals, Kirya unexpectedly guided his team from group stages were they led Group B with 13 points.
“Personally, I’ve had both the good and ugly moments,” said Kirya.
“Coping with fans’ pressure and insults plus the poor grounds we have been playing on has been challenging,” Kirya, whose team defeated Kyadondo 1-0 last Sunday at Kabulasoke playground, added.

Tough fixtures
On the other hand, not all has been rosy for Kirya’s side ever since the tournament began in June.
Gomba have endured a tough fixture schedule including one particular one when they lost 3-0 to fellow group mates Buwekula, two weeks ago.
Buwekula came second after Gomba in the same group but proved to be a solid and compact team looking to make their second appearance in Masaza Cup finals.
Buwekula last made it to the Masaza Cup finals in 2012 despite losing to Bulemezi then.