Mutebi advises on talent search
Oct 13, 2010
FAILURE to tap football talent outside the central region has contributed most to Cranes coach Bobby Williamson’s limited options on the national team.
By Johnson Were
FAILURE to tap football talent outside the central region has contributed most to Cranes coach Bobby Williamson’s limited options on the national team.
Former Cranes tactician Mike Mutebi lashed out at the recruitment policies of Ugandan coaches after watching Tuesday’s KCC versus Maroon tie. Although KCC won the game, Mutebi was critical of the line-ups of teams in the Super League.
“The clubs have limited their scouting to central region that is why we are seeing only tiny short players on pitch yet there are tall and huge players that feed on millet, potatoes and milk in the eastern, northern and western regions,†Mutebi stated.
He said local club coaches and officials must broaden their player scouting areas to be able to produce good players that will sustain the national team. Mutebi argued that since 1995, there has been one generation of players that is why the national team has for long been built around Ibrahim Ssekajya, Ande Mwesigwa, Abubaker Tabula and Nestroy Kizito with no replacement generation. “We need a new generation to take over and end this unfinished business of players trekking to Rwanda, Oman, Vietnam and then return while there are no players to challenge them,†Mutebi argued.
He said that he is surprised that even years after their best form, players like Hassan Mubiru and Henry Kakooza of victors, Hakim Maguma of SC Villa, Richard Malinga and Israel Emuge of KCC FC can still win places in first team squads. The former KCC and Maroon tactician also blamed soccer governing body FUFA for not having a planned youth coaching structure.
“Talents are there but enthusiastic youthful coaches need FUFA’s support in terms of training and education to be able to feed the young players with the right material.
It might sound crazy but the U-14 players must be subjected to monthly de-worming, nutrition structure and proper training according to the age group.â€
FAILURE to tap football talent outside the central region has contributed most to Cranes coach Bobby Williamson’s limited options on the national team.
Former Cranes tactician Mike Mutebi lashed out at the recruitment policies of Ugandan coaches after watching Tuesday’s KCC versus Maroon tie. Although KCC won the game, Mutebi was critical of the line-ups of teams in the Super League.
“The clubs have limited their scouting to central region that is why we are seeing only tiny short players on pitch yet there are tall and huge players that feed on millet, potatoes and milk in the eastern, northern and western regions,†Mutebi stated.
He said local club coaches and officials must broaden their player scouting areas to be able to produce good players that will sustain the national team. Mutebi argued that since 1995, there has been one generation of players that is why the national team has for long been built around Ibrahim Ssekajya, Ande Mwesigwa, Abubaker Tabula and Nestroy Kizito with no replacement generation. “We need a new generation to take over and end this unfinished business of players trekking to Rwanda, Oman, Vietnam and then return while there are no players to challenge them,†Mutebi argued.
He said that he is surprised that even years after their best form, players like Hassan Mubiru and Henry Kakooza of victors, Hakim Maguma of SC Villa, Richard Malinga and Israel Emuge of KCC FC can still win places in first team squads. The former KCC and Maroon tactician also blamed soccer governing body FUFA for not having a planned youth coaching structure.
“Talents are there but enthusiastic youthful coaches need FUFA’s support in terms of training and education to be able to feed the young players with the right material.
It might sound crazy but the U-14 players must be subjected to monthly de-worming, nutrition structure and proper training according to the age group.â€