Mwesigwa puts on brave face to tip youngsters
What you need to know:
Soccer. While being sorry of his individual errors, the skipper hinted at feeling neglected by the powers.
KAMPALA.
After a torrent of backlash on social media, especially on Wednesday night’s villain Andy Mwesigwa, the Cranes had all reasons to be cautious.
Upon return on Friday, the team decided against boarding the team bus upon arrival at Entebbe Airport, preferring private and family means for fear the players could be accosted by angry fans.
Eve n Habib Kavuma and Robert Odongkrara, who had gone ahead to board the bus, had to disembark shortly after take-off on the advice of team manager Crispus Muyinda.
Muyinda had apparently received a call suggesting rowdy fans were waiting for them at Kajjansi.The events were informed by Uganda’s yet another failed Afcon campaign, which was summed by the 2-0 defeat to Guinea in which Mwesigwa’s two reckless challenges, one of them seeing him sent off, the talking point.
Earlier reports had suggested the defender would connect straight to his Kazakhstan club Ordabasy from Casablanca, and perhaps announce retirement from there.
But the fighter in him that has characterized his take-no-prisoners style of play for the last 10 years saw him put up a brave face and return.
Clad in a white short-sleeved shirt, sneakers and black jeans, the defender who was visibly drained but calm addressed a gathering at a welcome dinner organised by sponsors Airtel at Serena. But no mention of retirement, just remorsefulness and the team’s future.
“We accept all criticism from everyone including the fans and media because throughout the campaign, we have picked positives from that and it has helped us to improve.”
Micho presided over another failed campaign. Photo BY AMINAH BABIRYE
He continued: “Much as we have failed to qualify, we didn’t fail to compete. We have competed and fought till the last day. We have a young team and players like Farouq Miya and Savio Kabugo have come through this campaign.
According to Mwesigwa, the future is bright for Ugandan football because of the youthful team and a few seniors.
“And hopefully, in whichever capacity, we shall qualify in future,” he said.
There has been considerable silence from Fufa regarding standing by the player who has been at the end of some unsavoury abuse since Wednesday night.
“After what happened I thought I was neglected. I felt no one was behind me but after listening to encouraging words from PK, I got courage to come here and speak for my team.”
Motivational speaker Peter Kimbowa had earlier served the team a dose of his medicine. “Failure does not mean I have accomplished nothing,” he said, “It means I have learned something.”
