Micho keeps Fufa guessing amid renewed speculation

KAMPALA.

Uganda Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic gave mixed signals yesterday, insisting he will honour his contract with Fufa but at the same time saying the future cannot be that certain.

Micho was responding to this reporter’s question at a news conference held at the Star Times Stadium at Lugogo ahead of tomorrow’s Chan qualifier against South Sudan.

Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana, also a football critic, had earlier in the morning posted on his Facebook wall claiming Micho had agreed terms with an unnamed Libyan club and was due to join them before the news went viral.

“For 16 years on the continent,” said Micho, “I have given my all and this has come with many offers. I can say I’m overloaded with offers and if I gave you this phone (holding it), you wouldn’t believe it.

“But there are some people that have made it a habit to always discredit us whenever we have a game coming up. Please leave politics to football politicians,” he added.

Yet Micho, whose Cranes career has not been devoid of sustained quitting speculations, could not deny he had indeed received an offer from the said unnamed Libyan club.

“Look,” said the 47-year-old, “I got that letter from Libya but I can’t stop people from talking. My phone is overflowing with offers, very many of them.

Egypt mind games
“But I have a contract with Fufa and in there are clauses on when to go and why.” Micho extended his contract by three years in April 2015.

“We know this game next month (World Cup qualifier against Egypt) means a lot for Egypt and they will do everything to go to the World Cup.” Egypt, the record seven-time African champions, last appeared at World Cup in 1990 in Italy.

“Some of these are mind games of Egypt and they are using some of you. You can fall for it but I’m not falling for that trap. For now we are focused to the game on Saturday and then Egypt.”

Fufa Marketing and TV head Rogers Byamukama agrees with Micho, saying “a lot of concerted effort from Egypt to distract us is on but I appeal to the media to protect the dream.”

Yet Micho’s next submission could hardly put the speculation to bed. “After Saturday, what will happen - God knows. I can’t see the future. But I have no reason to run away, and if I go, I will go to a different direction (from Libya).”