Ibrahim Sekagya retires from football

Feb 13, 2015

Ibrahim Sekagya has retired from football, bringing an end to a 20- year career littered with immeasurable success.

By Fred Kaweesi

Ibrahim Sekagya has retired from football, bringing an end to a 20- year career littered with immeasurable success.


The 34-year old is unanimously labelled the most iconic player in the history of Ugandan football, the highest honour for a career that started at Kawempe based first division club Equatorial FC in 1995.

The flamboyant defender broke his retirement news in a phone call on Friday —coincidentally hours after being offered a lucrative deal at New York Red Bulls as part of the team’s backroom coaching staff for Team B.


Sekagya and Red Bull Salzburg players celebrate winning the Austrian league soccer championship after their match against Admira Wacker in Salzburg May 17, 2012.

“It has been a wonderful journey for me. It has been remarkable experience for me,” Sekagya stated.

The former Red Bulls star, who also played for State House, KCCA FC, Atletico de Rafaela, Ferro Carril Oeste, Arsenal de Sarandi and Salzburg, retires with a list of honours that includes domestic and international silverware.

“I would like to thank my family, especially my wife for all the support she rendered me. I thank all the supporters and teammates I have played with through my career at club and with the national team for making me the player and human being I am today,” he added.


Cranes captain Ibra Sekagya celebrates his goal against Niger at Namboole, May 31 2008

Despite several offers from clubs in the Major Soccer League (MLS) and across Europe, Sekagya has decided to bow out after helping the Red Bulls to the MLS playoffs last season.

“I have taken the decision after consulting with my family and I believe it’s the right time to start a new chapter with Red Bulls. I am still part of the Red Bulls family and I thank them for giving me the opportunity to continue working with them,” said Sekagya, who retires barely two months after his close pal Thierry Henry, also chose to draw the curtains.


Red Bull Salzburg's Rabiu Afolabi, Ibrahim Sekagya, Franz Schiemer and Joaquin Boghossian (L-R) react after Schiemer scored a goal against Omonia Nikiosia during their Champions League third round, second leg qualification soccer match in Salzburg August 4, 2010.

Exceptional has been a word commonly associated with Sekagya throughout his playing career and although Ugandan football has produced talented players down the years, none has ever matched Sekagya’s drive, consistency or commitment at club and national level.

If the New York-based defender had succeeded in propelling the national team to the Africa Nations Cup, there wouldn’t even be comparisons with legends such as Jimmy Kirunda and the late Philip Omondi.


Sekagya controls the ball

But even then, Sekagya retires as the best this country has ever produced, a fair achievement for a career littered with imperious, towering performances that will be framed and hung in the memories of his fans.

His vital tackles, calm demeanour and quality distribution from the back are what all his clubs and the Cranes reaped from the defender that started his career in the bare surfaced grounds of Kawempe with Equatorial FC.

Sekagya’s journey

1995-1996 Equatorial FC
1996-1997 State House
1997–2001 KCC FC
2001–2002 Atletico
2002–2005 Ferro Carri
2005–2007 Arsenal
2007–2013 Salzburg
2013– New York Red Bulls
 

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