Uganda Cranes skipper Sekagya retires from international soccer

Feb 21, 2012

After scripting an illustrious career with the national football team, Ibrahim Sekagya has decided to author his final chapter by retiring from international duty.

By Fred Kaweesi

After scripting an illustrious career with the national football team, Ibrahim Sekagya has decided to author his final chapter by retiring from international duty.
 
The Red Bulls Salzburg defender broke the news yesterday in an emotion-filled email, bringing the curtain down on a 15-year career littered with immeasurable success.
 
“I am writing to inform you that I am officially resigning from my position as the captain and player of the Uganda Cranes effective, 1st March, 2012 to give the upcoming young generation a chance to expose their talents,” the stated.
 
“I would like to express my appreciation for the excellent hospitality during my work with the Cranes and Fufa as a family. During my stay with the team, I have learnt a lot as regards discipline and teamwork and I am sure these skills have been of great value to me in my career,” he added.
“It has been a great experience and for this reason I appreciate the support the federation has provided me in grooming myself into the successful player I am today,” the flamboyant defender pointed. 
 
Sekagya’s decision comes barely a week after left-back Nestroy Kizito called time on his Cranes career. 
There are suggestions that David Obua’s unceremonious exit from the national side could have had a significant bearing on both Sekagya and Kizito’s decisions. However, although that remains an area of debate, the concealed fact is that Cranes will desperately miss the services of Sekagya ahead of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
 
Exceptional has been a word commonly associated with Sekagya throughout his Cranes’ career and although Ugandan football has produced talented players down the years, none matched Sekagya’s drive, consistency or commitment to the national team.
 
If the Austrian-based defender had succeeded in propelling the national team to the 2012 Nations Cup finals in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea, he would have arguably been ranked as 
 
Uganda’s best player of all-time – an honour reserved for legends Jimmy Kirunda and Philip Omondi.
As it is, Sekagya’s retires as the best of his generation, a fair achievement for a career littered with imperious, towering performances that will be framed and hung in the memories of his fans.
 
His vital tackles, calm demeanour and quality distribution from the back are what Cranes reaped from the defender that joined the national team in 1996.
 
Aside from his six career goals, Sekagya excelled in the face of established forwards. He famously struck winning goals in the 2-1 win over Nigeria in 2007 and 1-0 win over Niger in 2008.
 
Prolific Sekagya hailed for great service to the nation
Ugandan football was united in tribute to Ibrahim Sekagya yesterday after the Red Bulls Salzburg defender decided to retire from international duty.
 
Cranes coach 
Bobby Williamson 
“He has been a fantastic person, a reasonable man and we will miss him. He is what every Ugandan player should try to be. I understand and respect his decision because he is trying to concentrate on his club football.” 
 
Sekagya’s first Cranes’ defensive partner in 1996
George Ssimogerere
“He was a hardworking and very good leader. He always listens and wanted the game so much.”
 
Cranes media officer Katende Malibu
“We will miss Sekagya on the field of play but we will always ask for guidance and advise on the team because he has been part of our family and will continue to be.”

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