Egyptians eye Massa
Dec 30, 2005
EX-INTERNATIONAL Jackson Mayanja believes striker Geoffrey Massa will be a “sensation†in the Egyptian league if his projected move to El Massry goes through.
By Fred Kaweesi
LG Cup final
Egypt 4 Senegal 2
Third-place
Uganda 2 Ecuador 1
EX-INTERNATIONAL Jackson Mayanja believes striker Geoffrey Massa will be a “sensation†in the Egyptian league if his projected move to El Massry goes through.
“He is a very unique player. I see him shining in the Egyptian league. He has the pace, strong at heading and his positioning is so good,†said Mayanja.
Mayanja, one of Uganda’s greatest players in the nineties, played professionally for Egyptian side El Massry from 1992 to 1994, and briefly for Esperance of Tunisia.
Massa’s four goals in just nine matches with the Cranes side caps a great year for him after a 13-goal haul in the City Tyres Super League. El Massry believe the 19-year-old could be the man to help them to glory in the coming season.
The Egyptican club are looking to bring in a new forward to ease the pressure on veteran striker Hossam Hassan.
“He is disciplined and wants to learn. The league is demanding and technical but that should not be a problem for him,†Mayanja added.
Police FC said yesterday they were willing to release Massa, but for a transfer fee of $20,000 (sh37m).
“We have always told him, he would be free to move but through formal channels,†Police secretary Joseph Okech said in Kampala.
Massa, whose transfer has since been brokered by Cranes head coach Mohammad Abbas, was expected to stay behind in Cairo for physical and medical trials.
Meanwhile, Abbas has commended his team’s “never-say-die†attitude that handed Uganda a historic 2-1 triumph over 2006 World Cup-bound Ecuador in the LG Cup in Cairo.
The Egyptian-born tactician was impressed with the team’s attitude against the South Americans.
Cranes recovered from an earlier 2-0 defeat by the hosts.
“For the first time ever, Cranes played as a unit and followed instructions,†he said in Cairo.
Massa and Martin Muwanga notched the two goals that secured the win.
Cranes earned sh37m that will be sent to FUFA by sponsors LG in the first week of January. The team returns today.
Police FC and Cranes first choice goalkeeper Hannington Kalyesubula scooped the best goalkeeper award, handed to him by LG president H.K Kwon.
Meanwhile, state sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi, hailed Cranes for their victory.
“We will continue trying to expose our boys to competitive football. It’s the beginning of good things because the foundation has already been set,†said Bakkabulindi.
LG Cup final
Egypt 4 Senegal 2
Third-place
Uganda 2 Ecuador 1
EX-INTERNATIONAL Jackson Mayanja believes striker Geoffrey Massa will be a “sensation†in the Egyptian league if his projected move to El Massry goes through.
“He is a very unique player. I see him shining in the Egyptian league. He has the pace, strong at heading and his positioning is so good,†said Mayanja.
Mayanja, one of Uganda’s greatest players in the nineties, played professionally for Egyptian side El Massry from 1992 to 1994, and briefly for Esperance of Tunisia.
Massa’s four goals in just nine matches with the Cranes side caps a great year for him after a 13-goal haul in the City Tyres Super League. El Massry believe the 19-year-old could be the man to help them to glory in the coming season.
The Egyptican club are looking to bring in a new forward to ease the pressure on veteran striker Hossam Hassan.
“He is disciplined and wants to learn. The league is demanding and technical but that should not be a problem for him,†Mayanja added.
Police FC said yesterday they were willing to release Massa, but for a transfer fee of $20,000 (sh37m).
“We have always told him, he would be free to move but through formal channels,†Police secretary Joseph Okech said in Kampala.
Massa, whose transfer has since been brokered by Cranes head coach Mohammad Abbas, was expected to stay behind in Cairo for physical and medical trials.
Meanwhile, Abbas has commended his team’s “never-say-die†attitude that handed Uganda a historic 2-1 triumph over 2006 World Cup-bound Ecuador in the LG Cup in Cairo.
The Egyptian-born tactician was impressed with the team’s attitude against the South Americans.
Cranes recovered from an earlier 2-0 defeat by the hosts.
“For the first time ever, Cranes played as a unit and followed instructions,†he said in Cairo.
Massa and Martin Muwanga notched the two goals that secured the win.
Cranes earned sh37m that will be sent to FUFA by sponsors LG in the first week of January. The team returns today.
Police FC and Cranes first choice goalkeeper Hannington Kalyesubula scooped the best goalkeeper award, handed to him by LG president H.K Kwon.
Meanwhile, state sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi, hailed Cranes for their victory.
“We will continue trying to expose our boys to competitive football. It’s the beginning of good things because the foundation has already been set,†said Bakkabulindi.