Sekagya confirmed as Red Bulls coach

Former Uganda Cranes captain Ibrahim Sekagya has been confirmed as the New York Reds Bull II coach.

Sekagya became a substantive coach after serving in an acting coach role following the sacking of Englishman Gary Lewis in July last year.

Sekagya becomes the third head coach in the US club’s history after spending eight seasons as an assistant coach.

In a statement, the club says: “Ibrahim has played a crucial role in the development of Red Bulls II in addition to his success as a player with the main club.”

“We know he will continue his hard work and dedication to improve in every facet of the club,” the statement signed by sporting director Denis Hamlett yesterday (February 6) says.

Sekagya retired as a player in 2015 and joined the Red Bulls II coaching staff for its inaugural season in the United Soccer League (USL).

He was named interim coach in July last year and went ahead to guide the team for the final 17 matches of the season.

“I am thrilled to continue my journey with the New York Red Bulls organisation and lead New York Red Bulls II to success,” Sekagya said in the aftermath of his appointment.

Who is Sekajya?

A central defender during his professional football playing days, Sekagya’s love affair with Red Bulls started in 2007 when he joined as a player.

He had also played in Salzburg in Austria, where he helped win the Austrian Football Bundesliga titles from 2008 to 2012. He was also part of the team that won the 2012 Austrian Cup.

In July, 2013, he spent two seasons with the club. He was also part of the 2013 Red Bulls team that won the Supporters shield.

Born in Kawempe, Kampala, Sekagya started his career playing on a bare surfaced pitch at Kawempe commonly known as 'kataka' before joining State House and later local giants Kampala City Council FC (KCC FC).

He started his senior career with Kampala City Council in 1992, before moving to Argentina in 1998 to try to make a career in football.

His first Argentine club was Atlético de Rafaela in the Primera B Nacional. In 2002, he moved to Ferro Carril Oeste in the Primera B Metropolitana, subsequently helping the team to win the league and secure promotion to the Primera B Nacional.

In 2005, he was signed by Arsenal de Sarandí of the Argentine Primera División, where he spent two seasons. From there he left for Austria in 2007, where he played for six years before ending up in US.