No Ugandan applied for Cranes head coach role

Ugandan coaches did not believe they stood a chance against foreigners for Cranes top job, thanks to the general sentiments across the divide, they say.
It has come to Daily Monitor’s understanding that at least 67 applicants tendered in their papers for Cranes head coaching job, and none of them is Ugandan.

This comes at a point debate over whether it is time for a local coach to assume the role permanently is raging.
Fufa have been on record saying the job will be given to the “most qualified candidate,” local or foreign.
But general sentiments amongst the coaches is that the position is pre-determined and is biased towards foreign coaches.

Why they didn’t apply
Former Cranes interim and assistant coach Moses Basena had in an earlier interview told Daily Monitor he had applied for the job.

“If I didn’t apply, I think I would have done myself and local coaches a huge disservice,” Basena said over a month ago. However, with the latest revelations, Basena clarified that he indeed did apply but not for head coach. “I applied but as an assistant,” he told Daily Monitor yesterday, “Why? Look, I was told that I came second to Desabre (Sebastien) when I applied last time, that shows I qualify and I thought after he left, it should have been clear.”

Close sources to the selection committee, however, say that it was a photo finish between Northern Irishman Johnny McKinstry and Frenchman Sebastien Desabre in 2017, with Basena leading the locals. “But when the job reopened, I looked around and the atmosphere wasn’t good,” added Basena, “When you read everywhere, it looked like everybody had written us off.” Does it bother him that no Ugandan coach applied for the big one? “Of course it does, but the atmosphere everywhere shows you local coaches are not a priority.”

Mubiru saw no need
Abdallah Mubiru, the current Cranes interim coach who has left the team on the verge of Chan 2020 qualification after thrashing Somalia 7-2 on aggregate and Burundi 3-0 away, did not even see need to apply. “I looked at the circumstances and realised they were not favouring us local coaches,” said Mubiru.
“The whole country, not only the authorities but also fans do not give us a chance. Not that we are not good enough; we can do the job but people are obsessed with a foreign coach.

“I’m just grateful that I got the opportunity to serve my country in the interim and I think I have served well. Maybe I will apply for the top job in future but now I thought it was a waste of time.”

Lule’s conviction
Proline coach Matia Lule is said to have made the final three for assistant coach alongside Wakiso Giants’ Kefa Kisala and Basena. “I went for assistant because I believe am still learning,” he told Daily Monitor, “But it’s a surprise to me if no Ugandan applied for the head coach role.

“I thought maybe my seniors would have applied but for me, I think am still learning and I still need time,” added the most recent Cranes assistant coach. Elsewhere, the Fufa is expected to sit on the head coach this weekend.

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