Ssekabuuza: Kiboga’s miracle man who vended betting slips

Kampala. Felix Ssekabuuza was not even meant to be in football. He has been an assistant to Shafiq Bisaso in all three Masaza Cup triumphs yet when he played at Gombe Secondary School, he only made the cut for inter-classes competitions.

When he started to work, for four years from 2006 until 2010, he was employed by Sports Betting Africa (SBA) as a teller, manager and later supervisor in Entebbe and Makindye. But when he thought a career, he tried his luck with Buddu as Shafiq Bisaso’s chief scout. The 32-year-old Caf B licenced coach was later named assistant and he has lived in the shadows of Bisaso, the most successful coach in Masaza football, all this time. “But it wasn’t a lack of ambition on my part. I was just enjoying the game with less pressure,” Ssekabuuza recalls.

Humble beginnings
Not to say he did not give a try at club football. In 2011, under Allan Kabonge, he was at Kisubi United before he joined Paul Mukatabala at Aurum Roses the following season. He later had a brief stint as Masavu head coach in 2014 before Livingston Mbabazi took over. Together they earned promotion for Masavu to the Big League after beating Luwero United 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in normal time. But when Mbabazi left for URA, Ssekabuuza lured Bisaso to Masavu although they separated when the team lost the 2016 play-offs to Kyetume in the finals held in Masaka. Bisaso got a job at SC Villa as assistant to Deo Sserwadda before assuming the head coaching role months later.
Turning point
It was at this time that he took on the reins as head coach of Nsaggu, a fourth division team. Although Kiboga beat them to earn a slot to the Big League, team owner Joel Ssekubunga Bbosa, was impressed, offering him the coaching job instantly.
“I thought maybe the Big League was too high for me,” he said. His first attempt with Kiboga ended in the play-offs where Kyetume beat them for a slot to the Big League. That line of thinking speaks volumes for Ssekabuuza’s unassuming persona. In a world of inflated egos, the Kiboga boss stands out as a refreshing, down-to-earth counterbalance. As Ssekubunga recently observed: “Ssekabuuza is the reason we now believe promotion is possible although the target was survival.” Ssekabuuza is a family man with four children who lives between Kiboga and Entebbe.

Unfazed
Few lauded Ssekabuuza in the past yet the way he has shaken the Big League is far more significant. With a meagre budget, he relies on strong scouting and recruitment to define the team’s success. He is always calm and unfazed by the immense challenge that lies ahead for the team that was bred out of Super Eagles, a small team formed in 2002. He knits together his team and he is highly reputed even by his mentor, Shafiq Bisaso. Since it’s very difficult to make a living as a coach in the Big League, Ssekabuuza is far happier with his achievements which can propel him to the top. Still, even he admits that having a say in the promotion race, is great. “It is a great motivation for the players and it continues to show that irrespective of where we come from, we can also make it.”

Upward spiral
Not only did Ssekabuuza keep Kiboga up last season, he steered them to the Fufa Big League, the club’s best performance in 18 years.
On his Big League debut, he has worked his magic once more. Kiboga have picked up 20 points from their eight games. They are first and just one point better than Proline and three behind third-placed Kansai Plascon, the most pampered team in the division alongside Wakiso Giants.
Staying unbeaten, the big boys have been warned. Ssekabuuza is not solely responsible for Kiboga’s success. The man pulling the strings behind the scenes - notably in terms of financing - Ssekubunga deserves great credit too. As a family of doctors in Kiboga, their contribution is immense which complements Ssekabuuza’s ability to spot players capable of transcending their performances with striking duo of Peter Lomoro and Isaac Otto as well as, Jonathan Muteesa particularly inspired signings. Yet there is no question that Kiboga are a team built in the image of their coach. They are hard-working, humble and likeable. And together they are achieving remarkable things.

Playing today, 4pm
Kitara vs Ntinda United,
Kigaya PS
Bumate vs Kira United,
Christ HS Bundibugyo
Kabale Sharp vs Kireka,
Kabale Municipal Stadium
Kiboga Young vs Dove,
Bamusuuta
Kansai Plascon vs Proline,
Bishop’s Mukono
Light SS vs UPDF,
Amuria HS
Nebbi Central vs Kyetume,
Luo Grounds
Entebbe vs Wakiso Giants,
Wankulukuku
Doves All Stars vs Bukedea TC,
Green Light Stadium Arua
Saturday:
Amuka Bright Stars vs Kataka,
Lira P7 School
Nebbi Central vs Bukedea TC,
Luo Grounds