Mystery Barcelona legend: Is it Ronaldinho, Rivaldo or Henry?
Uganda All-Stars coach Mutebi (right) shares a light moment with Rayco at yesterday’s press conference where the team to play FC Barcelona Legends was unveiled. Garcia is hopeful the match will lay foundation for a soccer academy. Photo Ismail Kezaala
What you need to know:
Soccer. Cranes legends, who made the 1978 Afcon final, including Jimmy Kirunda, Jimmy Muguwa, Barnabas Mwesiga, Tom Luwanga and Polly Ouma among others will be given special recognition at the historic game
KAMPALA. Football fans will have to be a little more patient before they know exactly who that “biggest” Catalan star to feature in the Uganda All-Stars match against Barcelona Legends next month will be.
Anticipation was through the roof yesterday with several fans on social media speculating amongst Rivaldo, Ronaldo da Lima, Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho and Xavi among others as that big star to be announced to face the Ugandan All-Stars.
The exhibition match main architect, Rayco Garcia, who also confirmed the Barcelona squad for the December 12 game at Namboole, instead said news about that mythical attraction will be revealed next week after contractual details are sealed.
“It’s the biggest name to ever come to East Africa,” said Rayco, who will also feature for Barcelona Legends, “And we know that fans will be very excited about him.”
While Rivaldo, Ronaldo da Lima, and Xavi have all excited football fans across the world, it is Henry and Ronaldinho that would arguably attract the most attention given their mass global appeal and style of play during their active footballing days. Actually, our strong sources do not go beyond the latter two.
Daily Monitor understands that while the Rayco Garcia Foundation, the organization using this match to raise funds to establish an academy in Uganda, had agreed in principle with that mystery star, a few things remained to be punched before he is revealed.
In another development, Uganda All-Stars and Barcelona teams were revealed at a news conference at Big Mike’s Cocktail Bar in Kampala yesterday.
The David Obua-captained Ugandan All-Stars team was confirmed by their coach Mike Mutebi, who will be assisted by his KCCA assistant Sam Ssimbwa and former Cranes goalkeeper and 1978 Afcon finalist Paul Ssali.
The All-Stars boast of the olden and current generation of the Cranes including one of the best ever goalkeepers, Sadiq Wassa.
“We would have loved everyone to play but we picked representatives from all (relevant) generations,” said Mutebi while explaining the absence of stars like Hassan Mubiru and Kefa Kisala. Those on the team include retired midfielders Edgar Watson and Hakim Magumba, and Cranes stars Tonny Mawejje and Geoffrey Massa.
The Barcelona Legends, who will be captained by Carles Puyol, will be accommodated at Sheraton Hotel while Uganda’s All-Stars will start training on December 7 before entering camp at Sky Hotel three days later.
Uganda all-star team
Sadiq Wassa, Jamal Salim, Simeon Masaba, Edgar Watson, Abubaker Tabula, George Ssimwogerere, Nestroy Kizito, Philip Obwiny, Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito, Tonny Mawejje, Hakim Magumba, Vincent Kayizzi, Musa Mudde Steven Bengo, David Obua (cpt), Geoffrey Sserukuma, Ibrahim Buwembo, Geoffrey Massa, Mike Sserumaga, James Odoch
Coaches: Mike Mutebi, Sam Ssimbwa, Paul Ssali (Goalkeeper 1978 Afcon, Ghana)
Barca legends team
Jesus Angoy, Carles Puyol, Ludovic Giuly, Gianluca Zambrotta, Albert Luque, Belleti Juliano, Deco Anderson Luis Souza, Gaizika Mendieta, Luis Carreras, Julio Iglesias, Sergi Barjuan, Rayco Garcia, Patrick Kluivert, Edgar Davids, Luis Garcia, and (SURPRISE LEGEND to be announced).
Coach: Víctor Muñoz Manrique.
