By Fred Kaweesi

IF Uganda had been among the 32 teams expected to compete in the 2010 World Cup, the entire country would have been gripped with panic over Ibrahim Sekagya latest injury scare.

The Cranes captain has been ruled out of competitive football for approximately a month after suffering a hamstring injury last Saturday.

Sekagya, who turns out for Austrian champions Red Bulls Salzburg, collapsed in pain during his club’s 1-0 league win over Kapfenberger.

“His absence is a huge blow for us. He is the leader of our defence,” Salzburg spokesman Thomas Blazek stated.

The flamboyant defender, among the pillars upon which Uganda will build its 2012 Africa Nations Cup qualifying campaign, Sekagya will miss his club’s domestic games against title rivals Austria Vienna, Sturm Graz, Mattersburg and Austria Karnten.

Sekagya has been one of Salzburg’s most consistent performers this season and his absence will be a loss for the club on the brink of retaining their league championship.