Ibrahim Sekagya out for a month
Feb 21, 2011
IBRAHIM Sekagya will need all the necessary divine intervention to assist him complete a miraculous recovery from a severe ankle injury ahead of Uganda’s crucial Nations Cup qualifier against Guinea Bissau.
By Fred Kaweesi
Nations Cup qualifier
March 27
Guinea Bissau v Uganda
IBRAHIM Sekagya will need all the necessary divine intervention to assist him complete a miraculous recovery from a severe ankle injury ahead of Uganda’s crucial Nations Cup qualifier against Guinea Bissau.
The Cranes captain has been ruled out of competitive football for approximately a month after damaging ankle ligaments in his right foot during Red Bull Salzburg’s weekend fixture against giants Rapid Vienna.
Sekagya had before the injury, contributed to Salzburg’s opening goal with a vital assist to Roman Wallner on 35 minutes.
That contribution was however overshadowed in the second half by the sight of Sekagya lying on the pitch in agony before being helped off, unable to put any weight on his right foot after being cynically tripped by Vienna striker Hesselink Vennegor on 57 minutes.
Salzburg manager Hubb Stevens was left frustrated after watching his captain leave the stadium on crutches. Ankle sprains normally require a month to heal. He was scheduled to have an MRI scan yesterday to determine the extent of the damage.
“The injury to Sekagya left us in a mess,†Hubbs stated.
With just five weeks before that 2012 Nations Cup qualifier against Guinea Bissau, Cranes risk confronting the West Africans without their inspirational captain.
Few options
In the event that Sekagya does not recover, Cranes coach Bobby Williamson will have to re-assemble the team’s central defence from a limited pool that includes Andrew Mwesigwa, Joseph Owino and Hassan Wasswa. Timothy Batabaire, ignored for previous games might be the other option.
Umony joins Portland
On the positive side, Cranes boss Bobby Williamson will be pleased to learn that striker Geoffrey Sserunkuuma has finally rediscovered his scoring touch and that Brian Umony will have a ‘settled mind’ after completing a season loan move to US MLS side Portland Timbers.
Sserunkuuma, who had been restricted to the reserves for over a month, walked off the bench in the second half and struck the third as South African Premiership side Bidvest thumped Denis Onyango’s Mpumulanga Black Aces 3-0 on Sunday. Onyango though didn’t play.
On the same day, Umony flew back to the United States to undergo a medical before signing for Timbers in a move that will guarantee him the opportunity of shackling MLS high-profile stars such as David Beckham (LA Galaxy) and Thierry Henry (Red Bulls).
The US club has an option to buy him if he continues to impress in the season.
Battling to hold back tears, the 22-year-old said that the move to the US was a lifelong dream.
“The trial in the US was good and I enjoyed myself. They gave me two matches and were happy with what I offered,†said Umony.
Nations Cup qualifier
March 27
Guinea Bissau v Uganda
IBRAHIM Sekagya will need all the necessary divine intervention to assist him complete a miraculous recovery from a severe ankle injury ahead of Uganda’s crucial Nations Cup qualifier against Guinea Bissau.
The Cranes captain has been ruled out of competitive football for approximately a month after damaging ankle ligaments in his right foot during Red Bull Salzburg’s weekend fixture against giants Rapid Vienna.
Sekagya had before the injury, contributed to Salzburg’s opening goal with a vital assist to Roman Wallner on 35 minutes.
That contribution was however overshadowed in the second half by the sight of Sekagya lying on the pitch in agony before being helped off, unable to put any weight on his right foot after being cynically tripped by Vienna striker Hesselink Vennegor on 57 minutes.
Salzburg manager Hubb Stevens was left frustrated after watching his captain leave the stadium on crutches. Ankle sprains normally require a month to heal. He was scheduled to have an MRI scan yesterday to determine the extent of the damage.
“The injury to Sekagya left us in a mess,†Hubbs stated.
With just five weeks before that 2012 Nations Cup qualifier against Guinea Bissau, Cranes risk confronting the West Africans without their inspirational captain.
Few options
In the event that Sekagya does not recover, Cranes coach Bobby Williamson will have to re-assemble the team’s central defence from a limited pool that includes Andrew Mwesigwa, Joseph Owino and Hassan Wasswa. Timothy Batabaire, ignored for previous games might be the other option.
Umony joins Portland
On the positive side, Cranes boss Bobby Williamson will be pleased to learn that striker Geoffrey Sserunkuuma has finally rediscovered his scoring touch and that Brian Umony will have a ‘settled mind’ after completing a season loan move to US MLS side Portland Timbers.
Sserunkuuma, who had been restricted to the reserves for over a month, walked off the bench in the second half and struck the third as South African Premiership side Bidvest thumped Denis Onyango’s Mpumulanga Black Aces 3-0 on Sunday. Onyango though didn’t play.
On the same day, Umony flew back to the United States to undergo a medical before signing for Timbers in a move that will guarantee him the opportunity of shackling MLS high-profile stars such as David Beckham (LA Galaxy) and Thierry Henry (Red Bulls).
The US club has an option to buy him if he continues to impress in the season.
Battling to hold back tears, the 22-year-old said that the move to the US was a lifelong dream.
“The trial in the US was good and I enjoyed myself. They gave me two matches and were happy with what I offered,†said Umony.