Sserumaga far from done

Mike Sserumaga has seen it all in the game. PHOTO/EDDIE CHICCO
What you need to know:
The former SC Villa, Police, Vipers, and URA midfield enforcer is leading from the front, playing a pivotal role in Football Classroom's Cinderella story.
Gifted former Uganda Cranes playmaker Mike Sserumaga is on a three-fold mission in the ongoing Stanbic Uganda Cup fairytale run with the WhatsApp group-inspired club, Football Classroom.
First, he is out to prove he still has unfinished business in Ugandan football. Second, he is determined to teach the new kids on the block how it’s done at the top level.
And third, he is leading an audacious charge to conjure a seemingly impossible run to the semifinals.
The former SC Villa, Police, Vipers, and URA midfield enforcer is leading from the front, playing a pivotal role in Football Classroom's Cinderella story.
The journey continues today in the round of 64 as they host Fufa Big League side Buhimba United at the YES Centre in Nsambya.
"We weren’t training seriously in the first four Uganda Cup qualifying games—against Kansanga (1-0), Jaguar (5-2), Moonlight Kazinga (2-0), and PCCP (1-0). But this time, we have trained seriously for six days under coach Felix Ssekabuza and even played two friendly matches. With home advantage against Buhimba we are ready," he revealed.
Sserumaga added; "the likes of Yasser Mugerwa, Habib Kavuma, Allan Munaaba, Dan Wagaluka, and Godfrey Walusimbi have been training rigorously. We may not run like we did in our prime, but with our experience and composure, we know how to keep the ball—and we’re all like coaches on the pitch."
Investing in education, football
For the past six years, Sserumaga had slipped off the local football radar, focusing on his investments in education and football development.
He established Hilton Nursery and Primary School in Kitende three years ago, which now runs from the nursery section to Primary Six, and reinforced his 15-year-old Sserumaga Mike Academy.
The academy, with branches in Kitende and Nakawuka, boasts around 160 players aged seven to 19 years and has already supplied the top-flight league with talents like Mike Kagiri, Moses Sseruyidde, Julius Mutyaba, and Wesley Kisakye. The production line remains active.
Blessed with a lethal left foot, versatility, eagle-eyed passing, long-range shooting, and set-piece artistry, Sserumaga steadfastly denies he has hung up his boots for good, insisting he’s still capable of playing at the top level.
"I haven’t retired at all. I’ve been training with Entebbe Legends and Kajjansi Oldies, and my performances with Football Classroom have already attracted interest from Lugazi FC and Proline.
"In Uganda, players tend to quit early, but I’m back to prove I still have what it takes. When I watch current players, I see something missing, and I want to use this chance to show I have about four more years at the top level," Sserumaga stressed.
Fufa feud
Interestingly, Football Classroom is a blend of football veterans, budding players, journalists, referees, football administrators and Fufa officials but Serumaga asserts he doesn't see eye to eye with the Mengo establishment.
The say-as-it-is temperamental player says that has hindered his progress in attaining coaching badges in Uganda which might force him to seek refugee in Kenya, where his Helsingborg former teammate McDonald Mariga Wanyama is now the FA vice president.
"I don’t have coaching badges yet because I’m not on good terms with Fufa. I’m planning to pursue my coaching studies under my friend Macdonald Mariga, the new Kenya FA vice president. We played together at Helsingborg and stayed in touch through his move to Parma and Inter, where he won the Champions League in 2010."
Stanbic Uganda Cup
Round of 64 , Today at 3pm
Karuguuza United vs. Kaaro Karungi, Buyanja SS Play Grd
Football Classroom vs. Buhimba , Yes Centre-Nsambya
Kisoro Young Simba vs. Kataka, Seseme Playground
Odramachako Central vs. Paidha Black Angels, Border view Arena-Arua
Kuluva Rainbow vs. MYDA, Hospital Arena-Arua
Busia Young vs. Kiyinda Boys, Busia Integrated P/S Grd
Sserumaga at a glance
Full name: Mike Sserumaga
Date of birth: August 3, 1989 (age 35)
Place of birth: Kampala, Uganda
Height: 1.75 m (5ft 9in)
Position(s): Forward