Cash offers not enough
Mar 09, 2003
I Say So:<br>TENSION is rising as the Rwanda versus Uganda match draws closer. There is certainly more at stake in the March 29 clash than just African Nations Cup points.
I Say So:
By James Bakama
TENSION is rising as the Rwanda versus Uganda match draws closer. There is certainly more at stake in the March 29 clash than just African Nations Cup points.
Rwanda President Paul Kagame's win-at-all-cost attitude has been underlined by a $2000 (sh3.7m) winning promise to each of his players.
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has also promised to arm Cranes with a few striking tips. A cash offer to fire up his boys will also not be a surprise.
Cranes definetely need the money. But I am against them getting it the Kagame way.
History shows that such rare offers not only over-excite Ugandan players, but also pile undue pressure on them.
In 1995 when Express reached the Africa Club Championship semi-final then Prime minister Cosmas Adyebo (RIP) made a huge offer.
He promised the Red Eagles sh1m for each goal they scored against South African club Orlando Pirates.
The moment the premier made the offer, visions of what the six-figure prize could buy filled the players’ minds clouding coach Jimmy Muguwa’s game plan. No wonder the Pirates rose from a precarious draw in Johannesburg to upset Express at Nakivubo.
In 1997, SC Villa official Omar Mandela promised the Jogoos the club’s entire share of gate collections if they beat arch-rivals KCC in a Nile Special Super league game.
Again coach David Otti’s tips to the players on how to handle Tom Lwanga’s side were diluted by calculations on how Mandela’s hefty offer would be divided.
At the end of the tension packed encounter at Nakivubo, it was KCC on top.
It was even worse for Tanzania’s Simba in 1993. After holding West African giants Stella Abidjan 2-2 in Ivory Coast, Simba’s financiers promised each of the Tanzanian players a car if they got the required result in Dar es Salaam to win a historic continental title.
To further psyche the players up, the new limousines were lined up in the stadium where they could easily be seen by the team.
This strategy failed. The Ivorians won 3-0.
What therefore appeals to me, is a long term policy ensuring the wellbeing of Cranes at all times intead of offers that briefly excite players.
jbakama@newvision.co.ug
By James Bakama
TENSION is rising as the Rwanda versus Uganda match draws closer. There is certainly more at stake in the March 29 clash than just African Nations Cup points.
Rwanda President Paul Kagame's win-at-all-cost attitude has been underlined by a $2000 (sh3.7m) winning promise to each of his players.
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has also promised to arm Cranes with a few striking tips. A cash offer to fire up his boys will also not be a surprise.
Cranes definetely need the money. But I am against them getting it the Kagame way.
History shows that such rare offers not only over-excite Ugandan players, but also pile undue pressure on them.
In 1995 when Express reached the Africa Club Championship semi-final then Prime minister Cosmas Adyebo (RIP) made a huge offer.
He promised the Red Eagles sh1m for each goal they scored against South African club Orlando Pirates.
The moment the premier made the offer, visions of what the six-figure prize could buy filled the players’ minds clouding coach Jimmy Muguwa’s game plan. No wonder the Pirates rose from a precarious draw in Johannesburg to upset Express at Nakivubo.
In 1997, SC Villa official Omar Mandela promised the Jogoos the club’s entire share of gate collections if they beat arch-rivals KCC in a Nile Special Super league game.
Again coach David Otti’s tips to the players on how to handle Tom Lwanga’s side were diluted by calculations on how Mandela’s hefty offer would be divided.
At the end of the tension packed encounter at Nakivubo, it was KCC on top.
It was even worse for Tanzania’s Simba in 1993. After holding West African giants Stella Abidjan 2-2 in Ivory Coast, Simba’s financiers promised each of the Tanzanian players a car if they got the required result in Dar es Salaam to win a historic continental title.
To further psyche the players up, the new limousines were lined up in the stadium where they could easily be seen by the team.
This strategy failed. The Ivorians won 3-0.
What therefore appeals to me, is a long term policy ensuring the wellbeing of Cranes at all times intead of offers that briefly excite players.
jbakama@newvision.co.ug