Massa’s star shone brightest in soccer
NEVER has the phrase ‘form is temporary, class is permanent’ been so apt as it was last year.
By Fred Kaweesi
USPA AWARDS 2006
Soccer- Geoffrey Massa
NEVER has the phrase ‘form is temporary, class is permanent’ been so apt as it was last year.
Namboole stadium had witnessed some amazing scenes down the years but not too many of relief and redemption like the one in September 2006.
When Geoffrey Massa rose to single-handedly catapult the Uganda Cranes with a brace and penalty assist for a convincing 3-0 win over Lesotho in a Nations Cup qualifier, few people had heard of the lanky forward and even fewer would have thought he would have had what it takes to help the nation gain the upper hand.
A youngster who rose from a modest background in Mbale to become an outstanding professional with Egyptian sides El Masry and El Shams, the Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) felt he was the deserved Footballer of the year.
“I feel extremely honoured. It shows that my contributions to Ugandan football are appreciated. I promise not to ever disappoint,†Massa said.
“I hope to continue doing what I can do best and that is scoring for the national side, whenever considered,†he added.
Massa’s right arm-raised goal celebrations were an enduring image for youngsters in Egypt, where he hit the ground running, tormenting the opposition with the full gamut of his repertoire.
With 14 goals gathered in the first round of the season, the fleet-footed forward, who became 21 on January 4, has already set his sights on Hassan El-Shazli’s all-time Egyptian domestic league scoring record of 34 goals.
In the 1974-75 season, El-Shazli scored 34, a one-season record that still stands. And he did it at a relatively old age of 34.
Yet a devastating shooter at just 21, lethal with both feet and with plenty of pace, Massa’s mentor Waiswa Sowedi points: “He has enough years in him to break the record.â€
On September 2, 2006, with the eyes of a nation pregnant with expectation on his precocious young shoulders, Massa knew that the time had come for him to deliver.
Forget the fact that in his last two games for Uganda, he had failed to inspire a side that had produced woefully inept performances.
The concern was that he seemed slightly off the pace, just a touch short of the strutting footballer, who bows to no-one.
But when Lesotho came around, the hunted became the hunter.
He produced a display of such character, passion and ability it is hard to believe anyone could ever have seriously doubted him.
He scampered around the pitch as if his life depended on it.
His intelligence as a footballer was apparent to anyone who cared to look, his movement simply too clever and too quick for anyone to get close enough to him.
Talent is the one thing Massa hasn’t had to worry about. But talent is not enough by its self –devotion and sacrifice have also been important.
He has dedicated himself to his career. Massa has occasionally ignored party and premiere invitations he gets. To him, there will be plenty of time to go to the celebrity events after he has won a few more medals.
When he kicked a ball about as young boy in Mbale, his dream was becoming a prominent star and not a celebrity.
He is in a steady relationship which has given him stability and the chance to have some kind of normality away from the pressures of football.
He has been in control of his life, later on game, thus avoiding mischief.
He has kept his emotions in check whenever defenders have kicked him all-over the place. He has always shown a great deal of respect, which has been important.
When young players are getting all the credit from fans and the media, it is easy for them to become big-time Charlies.
At El Shams, he has manager in Mohammad Abdallahim, who understands about young players.
“That will never affect my game. I have always tried to avoid that. I have not achieved what I want in my playing career as yet. I learnt to control my feelings,†Massa adds.
WINNERS SINCE 2003
2003: Ibrahim Sekagya
2004: H. Kalyesuubula
2005: David Obua
2006: Geoffrey Massa
USPA AWARDS 2006
Soccer- Geoffrey Massa
NEVER has the phrase ‘form is temporary, class is permanent’ been so apt as it was last year.
Namboole stadium had witnessed some amazing scenes down the years but not too many of relief and redemption like the one in September 2006.
When Geoffrey Massa rose to single-handedly catapult the Uganda Cranes with a brace and penalty assist for a convincing 3-0 win over Lesotho in a Nations Cup qualifier, few people had heard of the lanky forward and even fewer would have thought he would have had what it takes to help the nation gain the upper hand.
A youngster who rose from a modest background in Mbale to become an outstanding professional with Egyptian sides El Masry and El Shams, the Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) felt he was the deserved Footballer of the year.
“I feel extremely honoured. It shows that my contributions to Ugandan football are appreciated. I promise not to ever disappoint,†Massa said.
“I hope to continue doing what I can do best and that is scoring for the national side, whenever considered,†he added.
Massa’s right arm-raised goal celebrations were an enduring image for youngsters in Egypt, where he hit the ground running, tormenting the opposition with the full gamut of his repertoire.
With 14 goals gathered in the first round of the season, the fleet-footed forward, who became 21 on January 4, has already set his sights on Hassan El-Shazli’s all-time Egyptian domestic league scoring record of 34 goals.
In the 1974-75 season, El-Shazli scored 34, a one-season record that still stands. And he did it at a relatively old age of 34.
Yet a devastating shooter at just 21, lethal with both feet and with plenty of pace, Massa’s mentor Waiswa Sowedi points: “He has enough years in him to break the record.â€
On September 2, 2006, with the eyes of a nation pregnant with expectation on his precocious young shoulders, Massa knew that the time had come for him to deliver.
Forget the fact that in his last two games for Uganda, he had failed to inspire a side that had produced woefully inept performances.
The concern was that he seemed slightly off the pace, just a touch short of the strutting footballer, who bows to no-one.
But when Lesotho came around, the hunted became the hunter.
He produced a display of such character, passion and ability it is hard to believe anyone could ever have seriously doubted him.
He scampered around the pitch as if his life depended on it.
His intelligence as a footballer was apparent to anyone who cared to look, his movement simply too clever and too quick for anyone to get close enough to him.
Talent is the one thing Massa hasn’t had to worry about. But talent is not enough by its self –devotion and sacrifice have also been important.
He has dedicated himself to his career. Massa has occasionally ignored party and premiere invitations he gets. To him, there will be plenty of time to go to the celebrity events after he has won a few more medals.
When he kicked a ball about as young boy in Mbale, his dream was becoming a prominent star and not a celebrity.
He is in a steady relationship which has given him stability and the chance to have some kind of normality away from the pressures of football.
He has been in control of his life, later on game, thus avoiding mischief.
He has kept his emotions in check whenever defenders have kicked him all-over the place. He has always shown a great deal of respect, which has been important.
When young players are getting all the credit from fans and the media, it is easy for them to become big-time Charlies.
At El Shams, he has manager in Mohammad Abdallahim, who understands about young players.
“That will never affect my game. I have always tried to avoid that. I have not achieved what I want in my playing career as yet. I learnt to control my feelings,†Massa adds.
WINNERS SINCE 2003
2003: Ibrahim Sekagya
2004: H. Kalyesuubula
2005: David Obua
2006: Geoffrey Massa