Cranes in tears as Ssali is out of CHAN
Feb 01, 2011
IT was very emotional as he stood up to speak just before lunch. Defender Edward Ssali, always a bold and strong speaker tried to keep his emotions calm as he announced to his fellow national team players that he was out of the team.
By Norman Katende
in Khartoum, Sudan
IT was very emotional as he stood up to speak just before lunch. Defender Edward Ssali, always a bold and strong speaker tried to keep his emotions calm as he announced to his fellow national team players that he was out of the team.
Not that he was unfit or he had used drugs, but because he had a heart problem, which if played could endanger his life and future football career.
All the players were quite, very quite with tears rolling down their eyes, as he made the announcement. It was Ssali’s courage again to cheer them up.
“It is not the end of me or the end of my football career. The first thing is for me to concentrate on saving my life but I will be back. I know the federation executive will help me recover,†he said, just moments after calling back home and telling them the news.
Ssali’s heart problem was discovered during the mandatory medical check up at Mulago Hospital last week.
It was not easy to break the news to the Bunamwaya defender and it took the courage of first the entire technical team, and then the counselling of team doctor Ronald Kisolo and national coach Bobby William, before he was told the results.
“They have supported me and made me realise my importance on the team. We are a unit. The good thing is that they have told me that it is treatable,†said Ssali.
And to show solidarity, Williamson ruled out deporting Ssali to Kampala.
“He is a national team member and will get all the privileges he was entitled to. It is a natural cause which we can not change,†Williamson stated, with his glasses failing to conceal the emotion in his eyes.
Ssali’s colleagues were evidently touched and tried to stay near him, showing their support. He was appreciative.
Williamson is looking at the options of Ivan Bukenya, Dennis Guma or Derrick Walulya as replacements.
It is very hot
Meanwhile, Cranes are battling with the sweltering temperatures in Khartoum.
“I cannot change the hot weather but I can make them get used to it,†Williamson said as he ensured his players drunk water at intervals during training yesterday.
in Khartoum, Sudan
IT was very emotional as he stood up to speak just before lunch. Defender Edward Ssali, always a bold and strong speaker tried to keep his emotions calm as he announced to his fellow national team players that he was out of the team.
Not that he was unfit or he had used drugs, but because he had a heart problem, which if played could endanger his life and future football career.
All the players were quite, very quite with tears rolling down their eyes, as he made the announcement. It was Ssali’s courage again to cheer them up.
“It is not the end of me or the end of my football career. The first thing is for me to concentrate on saving my life but I will be back. I know the federation executive will help me recover,†he said, just moments after calling back home and telling them the news.
Ssali’s heart problem was discovered during the mandatory medical check up at Mulago Hospital last week.
It was not easy to break the news to the Bunamwaya defender and it took the courage of first the entire technical team, and then the counselling of team doctor Ronald Kisolo and national coach Bobby William, before he was told the results.
“They have supported me and made me realise my importance on the team. We are a unit. The good thing is that they have told me that it is treatable,†said Ssali.
And to show solidarity, Williamson ruled out deporting Ssali to Kampala.
“He is a national team member and will get all the privileges he was entitled to. It is a natural cause which we can not change,†Williamson stated, with his glasses failing to conceal the emotion in his eyes.
Ssali’s colleagues were evidently touched and tried to stay near him, showing their support. He was appreciative.
Williamson is looking at the options of Ivan Bukenya, Dennis Guma or Derrick Walulya as replacements.
It is very hot
Meanwhile, Cranes are battling with the sweltering temperatures in Khartoum.
“I cannot change the hot weather but I can make them get used to it,†Williamson said as he ensured his players drunk water at intervals during training yesterday.