Sekagya targets League, Europa and FA Cup titles
IBRAHIM Sekagya! These two names have come to sum up the very best at Austrian champions Red Bulls Salzburg. Since his high-profile transfer to Salzburg in 2007, Sekagya has stood for inspiration and genius. Uganda’s football ambassador to Austria has devastatingly been successful on and off the
By Fred Kaweesi
IBRAHIM Sekagya! These two names have come to sum up the very best at Austrian champions Red Bulls Salzburg. Since his high-profile transfer to Salzburg in 2007, Sekagya has stood for inspiration and genius. Uganda’s football ambassador to Austria has devastatingly been successful on and off the pitch.
Aside from helping his club to the Bundesliga title last season, his resolute performances fundamentally justified why Salzburg whole-heartedly decided to present him with the excellent player of the year award (EPA) in 2008.
All this, besides accumulating unprecedented wealth with the most famous club in Austria.
He is not only an estate magnate in Austria but also owns a fleet of luxurious cars including the latest Audi S6 and Audi T7 both at a combined cost of US$160,000 (sh304m).
But why does Sekagya feel somewhat unsatisfied? “I have always wanted to guide my country to either the World Cup or Nations Cup tournaments and until I achieve that I will not be satisfied.â€
“We have the talent in this country and it’s a shame we have not made it in previous attempts.
"I am extremely confident with the potential in the team that moment will come,†Sekagya, currently on a winter break holiday, told Saturday Vision in an exclusive interview yesterday.
“It’s not by accident that Cranes won the CECAFA twice in a row. I was following the team and was impressed with what coach (Bobby) has done in improving the standard of playing in the team,†Sekagya added.
Sekagya looks back to 2009 as a positive year in his development –– but it will be nothing compared to 2010 in which he remains on course to winning a treble of titles with Salzburg.
The Cranes captain has been an impressive rock for the Austrian Champions since joining them and will lead the club into 2010 aiming for a clean sweep of trophies in what could turn out to be his best season in club football.
Salzburg are second in the Austria Bundesliga and still handily placed to defend their title. They are through to the last 16 of the Europa League, where Belgium champions Standard Liege lay in waiting and have a two-legged FA Cup (STL)semi-final against Stum Graz in February. 2010 will officially start for Salzburg on 11 January as training starts again.
The Red Bulls will then have a little over four weeks to prepare for their first competitive match in a decisive month of February.
Six matches in 18 days will make for a dramatic resumption to what may become an epic season. The Bulls will then face three away trips in the Austrian Cup, Bundesliga and in the Europa League.
The footballing year will officially start February on 9 or 10 with an OFB Stiegl Cup clash between Sturm Graz and the Bulls. The league season will then resume with a trip to Ried. Following that a journey to Standard Liege awaits for the Europa first leg.
We can beat anybody, anywhere
“This will turn out to be my most successful season at club level if I can win a treble. Every thing seems to be in place for us.
“We are capable of retaining our league crown, our record in Europe has also been the best ever in recent years and we just have to beat Gruz to be sure of Cup glory. “Our success in Europe particularly has helped earn the club more points for better ranking in future.
“I hope we complete what has been good work done so far by progressing further to the Europa final and even winning it.
“We have put in a lot as a club and there is a very good understanding within the team. We only had three changes to the previous first team and they have made us stronger.
Salzburg have been a revelation in Europe, their quick, intelligent one-touch counter-attacking approach a pleasure to watch –– the sole reason they progressed to the knockout stages of the Europa league with an unbeaten record after outwitting Italian side Lazio, Spanish giants Villarreal and Bulgarian powerhouse Sofia –– all home and away.
“Its not easy going to the Olimpic Stadium (Lazio) and the El Madrigal (Villarreal) but we got the results there.
He added: “You need mental strength as a player and that has been crucial. We had the likes of Afolabi, Kovac and Dusantos coming in during pre-season and that has also made us stronger.
“This team (Salzburg) is capable of going anywhere and winning. The club manager has also been great.
Lazio and Villarreal have shown interest
“The two contacted me but I still have a contract with Salzburg and the club really wants me to stay.
“I will know what decision is best at the end of the season as both Lazio and Villarreal have a history.â€
Happy with family, speak Spanish at home
In Austria, Sekagya has dedicated himself to his career -occasionally ignoring party and premiere invitations. He says there will be plenty of time to go to celebrity events after he has achieved his personal dreams.
The flamboyant defender is in a steady relationship and that has given him stability and the chance to have some kind of normality away from the pressures of football.
He has basically been in control of his life and a true role model for youngsters.
“I have two boys (Imran Sekagya, 7 year-old and Rohil Sekagya, 1 year-old) and a wonderful wife Jalia Sekagya.
“It’s not been easy communicating with the last born (Rohil) as he only speaks German.
"But I am getting better and I hope he learns Spanish since it’s what we all understand and also speak at home in Salzburg."
IBRAHIM Sekagya! These two names have come to sum up the very best at Austrian champions Red Bulls Salzburg. Since his high-profile transfer to Salzburg in 2007, Sekagya has stood for inspiration and genius. Uganda’s football ambassador to Austria has devastatingly been successful on and off the pitch.
Aside from helping his club to the Bundesliga title last season, his resolute performances fundamentally justified why Salzburg whole-heartedly decided to present him with the excellent player of the year award (EPA) in 2008.
All this, besides accumulating unprecedented wealth with the most famous club in Austria.
He is not only an estate magnate in Austria but also owns a fleet of luxurious cars including the latest Audi S6 and Audi T7 both at a combined cost of US$160,000 (sh304m).
But why does Sekagya feel somewhat unsatisfied? “I have always wanted to guide my country to either the World Cup or Nations Cup tournaments and until I achieve that I will not be satisfied.â€
“We have the talent in this country and it’s a shame we have not made it in previous attempts.
"I am extremely confident with the potential in the team that moment will come,†Sekagya, currently on a winter break holiday, told Saturday Vision in an exclusive interview yesterday.
“It’s not by accident that Cranes won the CECAFA twice in a row. I was following the team and was impressed with what coach (Bobby) has done in improving the standard of playing in the team,†Sekagya added.
Sekagya looks back to 2009 as a positive year in his development –– but it will be nothing compared to 2010 in which he remains on course to winning a treble of titles with Salzburg.
The Cranes captain has been an impressive rock for the Austrian Champions since joining them and will lead the club into 2010 aiming for a clean sweep of trophies in what could turn out to be his best season in club football.
Salzburg are second in the Austria Bundesliga and still handily placed to defend their title. They are through to the last 16 of the Europa League, where Belgium champions Standard Liege lay in waiting and have a two-legged FA Cup (STL)semi-final against Stum Graz in February. 2010 will officially start for Salzburg on 11 January as training starts again.
The Red Bulls will then have a little over four weeks to prepare for their first competitive match in a decisive month of February.
Six matches in 18 days will make for a dramatic resumption to what may become an epic season. The Bulls will then face three away trips in the Austrian Cup, Bundesliga and in the Europa League.
The footballing year will officially start February on 9 or 10 with an OFB Stiegl Cup clash between Sturm Graz and the Bulls. The league season will then resume with a trip to Ried. Following that a journey to Standard Liege awaits for the Europa first leg.
We can beat anybody, anywhere
“This will turn out to be my most successful season at club level if I can win a treble. Every thing seems to be in place for us.
“We are capable of retaining our league crown, our record in Europe has also been the best ever in recent years and we just have to beat Gruz to be sure of Cup glory. “Our success in Europe particularly has helped earn the club more points for better ranking in future.
“I hope we complete what has been good work done so far by progressing further to the Europa final and even winning it.
“We have put in a lot as a club and there is a very good understanding within the team. We only had three changes to the previous first team and they have made us stronger.
Salzburg have been a revelation in Europe, their quick, intelligent one-touch counter-attacking approach a pleasure to watch –– the sole reason they progressed to the knockout stages of the Europa league with an unbeaten record after outwitting Italian side Lazio, Spanish giants Villarreal and Bulgarian powerhouse Sofia –– all home and away.
“Its not easy going to the Olimpic Stadium (Lazio) and the El Madrigal (Villarreal) but we got the results there.
He added: “You need mental strength as a player and that has been crucial. We had the likes of Afolabi, Kovac and Dusantos coming in during pre-season and that has also made us stronger.
“This team (Salzburg) is capable of going anywhere and winning. The club manager has also been great.
Lazio and Villarreal have shown interest
“The two contacted me but I still have a contract with Salzburg and the club really wants me to stay.
“I will know what decision is best at the end of the season as both Lazio and Villarreal have a history.â€
Happy with family, speak Spanish at home
In Austria, Sekagya has dedicated himself to his career -occasionally ignoring party and premiere invitations. He says there will be plenty of time to go to celebrity events after he has achieved his personal dreams.
The flamboyant defender is in a steady relationship and that has given him stability and the chance to have some kind of normality away from the pressures of football.
He has basically been in control of his life and a true role model for youngsters.
“I have two boys (Imran Sekagya, 7 year-old and Rohil Sekagya, 1 year-old) and a wonderful wife Jalia Sekagya.
“It’s not been easy communicating with the last born (Rohil) as he only speaks German.
"But I am getting better and I hope he learns Spanish since it’s what we all understand and also speak at home in Salzburg."