Wasswa wanted parents to watch him play in last 16

When referee Eric Otogo Castane from Gabon signalled the end of Uganda Cranes Group A clash against Zimbabwe at the Cairo International Stadium on Wednesday night, there was jubilation by Cranes players and members of the coaching staff.
They were joined in the terraces by Cranes and some Egyptian fans. However defender Hassan Wasswa was in tears until the coach Sebastien Desabre and other players came over to console him. The tough defender could not contain the emotions of Cranes ‘advancing to the last 16’ of the tournament for the first time since 1978, when Uganda played and lost 2-0 in the final to Ghana Black Stars. Talking to Daily Monitor in the Mixed Zone, the 31-year-old said he was dedicating Cranes’ feat to his fallen parents.

Making history
“I remembered my parents used to tell me that they want me to be part of Cranes team that makes history by advancing to the knock out stage,” the defender, currently without a club, said. “How I wish they were here to see us making history.”
On his future, Wasswa said that let us finish the tournament and see. “My team is trying to secure me a club. My job right now is to help the Cranes.”
Wasswa’s father Hasan Biruma, a former player with KCCA and Cranes, died in 2016 while his mum Betty Nanozi Biruma, a former netballer with Bank of Uganda and She Cranes, passed on last year.

QUICK PROFILE

Hassan Wasswa: Defensive Midfielder

D.O.B: February 14, 1988
Height: 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Jersey: 16
Current team: Unattached
Former clubs: KCCA, Saint George, F.C. Cape Town, Karabükspor, Altay S.K, Erciyesspor, Dong Nai, SC Villa, Al-Shorta, Al-Nejmeh, El-Geish
National team: Since 2006