Zittel rejects Cranes job

Sep 12, 2001

German soccer expert, Guenter Zittel, has declined being Uganda Cranes coach for next month’s Castle Cup under the present FUFA leadership.

By Joseph Batte German soccer expert, Guenter Zittel, has declined being Uganda Cranes coach for next month’s Castle Cup under the present FUFA leadership. Zittel said he cannot make a mistake of taking up the job of Cranes coach as many expect. The German said in an interview at Lugogo yesterday that disgraced Nigerian tactician Harrison Okagbue accepted to work with the present FUFA and at the end of the day, he was blamed for their inefficiency. “I will never work with these potato growers called FUFA. These people have only produced mistakes this year. Probably they will continue doing so next year,” he said. Zittel recounted his experience with the U-20 team on the Libyan invitation as one of the reasons for his decision. He complained that before they left for Libya, the team used to go for training without the basic equipment like balls. He said that it came to FUFA knowledge a day to the tour that the team had no uniforms for use in Libya. He revealed that tracksuits were hurriedly given to the team at the airport by Euromakint. “It was shaming to see players running to the toilets to put them on. But they were not enough and two players travelled in casual wear.” Zittel said he will retain his advisory job as stipulated in his contract and try to instruct local coaches. Meanwhile, 63 youth players selected by Zittel from upcountry secondary schools reported at Lugogo hostel yesterday for training in preparation for the Castle Cup. The players will undergo a one-week drilling under coaches Asuman Lubowa, Leo Adraa, Tom Lwanga, Jimmy Muguwa and Zittel. Zittel said that after two weeks, the number would be reduced to 30 players who will be joined by another 40 from Kampala. “The squad will include some youths from the disbanded Cranes. This will be just the Cranes for the Castle Cup, not for the future,” said the German expert. Those invited are: Idris Kirumira, Ronald Baguma, Med Tamale, Amulani Mukasa, William Kyeswa, Samadu Mutumba, Mike Lwanga, Nordin Kawesi, Idris Mutebi, Sulaiman Mubiru, Patrick Kibirango, and Nicholas Kikabi. Others are Ben Kalama, Jonathan Senyonga, Innocent Mukore, Michael Wazemba, Laban Agaba, Sirage Bogere, Kassim Nsubuga, Mark Wasswa, Hassan Ssetuba, Israel Emuge, Patrick Olama, Musa Gale and Muhammad Senfuma. Others are: Siraje Wesijje, Hassan Mubiru, Edwin Bageya, Robert Kimuli, Idd Sebalata, Geofrey Serunkuma, Ahmed Bemba, Rogers Kyeyune, Peter Serunjogi, Faisal Bakaluba, Philip Kigozi, Kenneth Kinyera, Alfred Lofogo, George Nyandiru, Karim Yanya, and Gule Hamza. The rest: Moses Kuri Codim Bathum, Abrahim Rwothogeo, Andrew Achilo, Fred Ocaya, Frank Mawejje, Godfrey Kikabi, Ahamed Taban, Dickson Analo, Ayub Kamba, Badru Magala, Patrick Kawoya, Isaac Ssekidu, Juma Ssemakadde, Abu Wandera, Bob Ogwel, Isa Sebunya, Julius Okocha, Ogwal Egwedo, Ismail Kigozi, Kyobe and Yashin. ends

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