It’s the Anyau-Mutebi act
May 30, 2004
I SAY SO<br><br>UGANDA'S encounter with Congo on Saturday should provide lots of action on the pitch, but the real drama could come from elsewhere.
I SAY SO
By James Bakama
UGANDA'S encounter with Congo on Saturday should provide lots of action on the pitch, but the real drama could come from elsewhere.
The Cranes bench, marshaled by the animated coaching pair of Mike Ray Mutebi and Frank "Video" Anyau will certainly provide the Namboole proceedings with some theatricals.
Mutebi and Anyau are not only endowed with the talent of teaching the most popular sport, but also doing so in a way that evokes laughter.
Those who remember the comedy on the visitors' bench in the 1995 Express versus Aigle Royale encounter at Nakivubo, should have a hint of what could be about to unfold at Namboole.
Mutebi and Anyau, who on a good day would leave even Charlie Chaplain envious, can goose match, yell, fling coats, gesture like traffic officers and even dance or cry if that is what it takes to sink a point home.
It is a sudden burst of life on a bench that was previously described as dull. The current duo’s predecessor Leo Adraa was too calm to an extent that many claimed he just did not care.
But Adraa, just like former Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, maintains that soccer is not all about bench gymnastics but simple delivery of messages.
Celtic’s Martin O’Neal would certainly not agree with those who argue that serious body and verbal action on the bench does not pay.
Fears that Mutebi's acidic tongue would be his self-destruction button in his Cranes assignment have been disproved.
And, it is not that players have decided to swallow his insults. It’s instead Mutebi who has lately had to coat his ridicule with humour.
The strategy seems to be working if the constant bouts of laughter in Cranes training are anything to go by.
Like an obedient student, Anyau has lately taken the back seat, leaving the stage for his boss.
But I am sure he is only waiting for the opportune moment to cast away all pretense by making the best of the grand Namboole stage.
If turning around our fortunes will take some drama on the bench, why not cheer on Mike and Frank.
My only prayer is that the duo do not steal the entire show.
jbakama@newvision.co.ug
By James Bakama
UGANDA'S encounter with Congo on Saturday should provide lots of action on the pitch, but the real drama could come from elsewhere.
The Cranes bench, marshaled by the animated coaching pair of Mike Ray Mutebi and Frank "Video" Anyau will certainly provide the Namboole proceedings with some theatricals.
Mutebi and Anyau are not only endowed with the talent of teaching the most popular sport, but also doing so in a way that evokes laughter.
Those who remember the comedy on the visitors' bench in the 1995 Express versus Aigle Royale encounter at Nakivubo, should have a hint of what could be about to unfold at Namboole.
Mutebi and Anyau, who on a good day would leave even Charlie Chaplain envious, can goose match, yell, fling coats, gesture like traffic officers and even dance or cry if that is what it takes to sink a point home.
It is a sudden burst of life on a bench that was previously described as dull. The current duo’s predecessor Leo Adraa was too calm to an extent that many claimed he just did not care.
But Adraa, just like former Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, maintains that soccer is not all about bench gymnastics but simple delivery of messages.
Celtic’s Martin O’Neal would certainly not agree with those who argue that serious body and verbal action on the bench does not pay.
Fears that Mutebi's acidic tongue would be his self-destruction button in his Cranes assignment have been disproved.
And, it is not that players have decided to swallow his insults. It’s instead Mutebi who has lately had to coat his ridicule with humour.
The strategy seems to be working if the constant bouts of laughter in Cranes training are anything to go by.
Like an obedient student, Anyau has lately taken the back seat, leaving the stage for his boss.
But I am sure he is only waiting for the opportune moment to cast away all pretense by making the best of the grand Namboole stage.
If turning around our fortunes will take some drama on the bench, why not cheer on Mike and Frank.
My only prayer is that the duo do not steal the entire show.
jbakama@newvision.co.ug