The usual suspects
Oct 09, 2002
THE player-transfer season starts in a week’s time, but, there being very little talent to chase, means the usual names are already raising temperatures in Express, Villa and KCC camps
BY Norman Katende
THE player-transfer season starts in a week’s time, but, there being very little talent to chase, means the usual names are already raising temperatures in Express, Villa and KCC camps.
The transfers have this time come earlier because the 2003 season kicks-off November 24. Talk of transfers also goes along with promises of professional trials abroad, plus the names of the likes of Jamil Kyambadde, Ibrahim Buwembo (if he was still playing), Hassan Mubiru, Hakim Magumba, Henry Kakooza, Francis Gonzaga and Maurice Sunguti popping up.
Apart from Andrew Mukasa’s move, the most dramatic switch was by Phillip Obwiny, who returned straight from European trials.
Uganda is changing its calendar to fall in line with a uniform FIFA schedule that has seen the the transfer window system across Europe being streamlined.
It means that, for the first time, all European clubs have only August for their transfer business, with only another ‘window’ open from December 31 to dip into the market again.
Two Express players Kyambadde and Kakooza left mid this year to play professional football in Vietnam. Always associated with club switches, the two are expected in Kampala in time for the transfers.
Express say they have information that the duo are wanted by Villa.
Villa have rubbished the allegations. “We have always been accused of such nonsense. They are covering up for their poor performance. Why should they point fingers at us for their poor administration,†said Villa secretary Luyimbazi Mugalu.
“This is not a way forward for Uganda’s football. We are not barring any player from moving,†charged Express secretary Kavuma Kabenge.
He recalled how Obwiny returned and picked forms on the last day of last season’s transfers. He had also left for ‘professional trials’ in Europe.
Express say Villa were playing dirty by taking its players for professional trials at this time.
Villa’s Yugoslav coach Micho Sredojevich said: “Let me tell you the truth. For Batabaire (Timothy) and Kizito (Nestroy), I am hundred percent sure that they are joining a European club. Other four will first do trials.â€
Villa, whose players are the best paid locally, are trying to emulate their Africa Club and CAF Cup final appearances of 1991-92.
High on the unofficial transfer lists are Police’s Geoffrey Sserunkuma (yet to serve the mandatory two years), Express’s Gozanga, Mubiru and goalkeeper Abdu Salim who are on contract. All these players can only move after talks between the interested party and their clubs.
The only Ugandans to have played top class professional football in Europe are Magid Musisi and Livingstone Mbabazi.
THE player-transfer season starts in a week’s time, but, there being very little talent to chase, means the usual names are already raising temperatures in Express, Villa and KCC camps.
The transfers have this time come earlier because the 2003 season kicks-off November 24. Talk of transfers also goes along with promises of professional trials abroad, plus the names of the likes of Jamil Kyambadde, Ibrahim Buwembo (if he was still playing), Hassan Mubiru, Hakim Magumba, Henry Kakooza, Francis Gonzaga and Maurice Sunguti popping up.
Apart from Andrew Mukasa’s move, the most dramatic switch was by Phillip Obwiny, who returned straight from European trials.
Uganda is changing its calendar to fall in line with a uniform FIFA schedule that has seen the the transfer window system across Europe being streamlined.
It means that, for the first time, all European clubs have only August for their transfer business, with only another ‘window’ open from December 31 to dip into the market again.
Two Express players Kyambadde and Kakooza left mid this year to play professional football in Vietnam. Always associated with club switches, the two are expected in Kampala in time for the transfers.
Express say they have information that the duo are wanted by Villa.
Villa have rubbished the allegations. “We have always been accused of such nonsense. They are covering up for their poor performance. Why should they point fingers at us for their poor administration,†said Villa secretary Luyimbazi Mugalu.
“This is not a way forward for Uganda’s football. We are not barring any player from moving,†charged Express secretary Kavuma Kabenge.
He recalled how Obwiny returned and picked forms on the last day of last season’s transfers. He had also left for ‘professional trials’ in Europe.
Express say Villa were playing dirty by taking its players for professional trials at this time.
Villa’s Yugoslav coach Micho Sredojevich said: “Let me tell you the truth. For Batabaire (Timothy) and Kizito (Nestroy), I am hundred percent sure that they are joining a European club. Other four will first do trials.â€
Villa, whose players are the best paid locally, are trying to emulate their Africa Club and CAF Cup final appearances of 1991-92.
High on the unofficial transfer lists are Police’s Geoffrey Sserunkuma (yet to serve the mandatory two years), Express’s Gozanga, Mubiru and goalkeeper Abdu Salim who are on contract. All these players can only move after talks between the interested party and their clubs.
The only Ugandans to have played top class professional football in Europe are Magid Musisi and Livingstone Mbabazi.