Uganda vs Libya: A history of drama

By Pius Arinawe

THE Uganda Cranes venture into a bit of uncharted territory when they encounter Libya in the first international match to be played in Tripoli since the bloody revolution two years ago that claimed over 25,000 lives.

FIFA only recently lifted all sanctions against Libya, just in time to hand new coach Micho Srejodevich his first test in charge of the national team.

It will be the second time a newly-installed Cranes coach marks his debut with a friendly against Libya after Harrison Okagbue did the same in 2000.

Having had just a few weeks to work with his new charges, Micho will hope to perform as well as the Nigerian, who kicked off his Cranes stint with an exciting 3-2 win in Kampala 13 years ago.

Here below, we look back at the last three encounters between the two countries that have helped shape an unlikely bond.

Okagbue managed to come out on top in this five-goal thriller; a miracle given the chaotic build-up to the match proper. The pre-match preparations were dominated by a mooted player strike over unpaid allowances and allegations of food theft in the camp.

Bitter because of unpaid arrears, the players threatened a strike that would have been particularly embarrassing for the ruling NRM government which had scheduled the match as part of the 14th Liberation Day celebrations.

The strike was only averted at the 11th hour when NCS secretary general Abbey Lutaaya delivered mineral water, soap, passion fruits, medicine and 23 pairs of football boots to the camp.

Libya was coached by Carlos Bilardo, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup. And in their ranks, the visitors also had Al-Saad Gaddafi, the football-mad son of the Libyan leader.

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Nigerian Harrison Okagbue flanked by his assistant Leo Adraa during a training session for the U 23 team at Nakivubo Stadium in 2000.

But by no means was he the highest-profile visitor. That honour fell to disgraced Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson, who had travelled with the team as Al-Saad’s personal fitness trainer.

The Cranes were without stalwarts Hassan Mubiru, Hakim Magumba, Abubaker Tabula and Ibrahim Sekajja who were away on professional trials in Italy. But Villa midfielder James Odoch was recalled to the side after a lengthy battle with injuries.

In a poorly attended match at Namboole, Andrew Mukasa broke the deadlock in the 17th minute. However, Kalifa Margani equalised from the penalty spot before the Libyans took the lead moments later.

Al-Saad made a much-anticipated entry to proceedings in the 75th minute; just in time to watch Uganda restore parity through Philip Ssozi before substitute Joseph Yawe grabbed a late winner in spectacular fashion on his debut. 

The 3-2 win proved the undisputed highlight of Okagbue’s reign. It all went downhill thereafter.

2006: Libya–Uganda 3:2

Another high-profile friendly. Another chaotic build-up. This time though, the villain was not FUFA but rather, the designated bus driver.

Only known as Kasenge, the poor driver was arrested by police on Entebbe road as he rushed to pick up the team from Namboole.

He was detained for driving under the influence of alcohol despite hilarious protests that he had gulped ‘only one bottle to keep me awake’.

FUFA vice president Asuman Lubowa and Hakim Magumba took turns driving the 25-man contingent to Entebbe airport; a contingent without Abubaker Tabula and Mike Sserumaga who had earlier mysteriously vanished from camp.

Ceaser Okhuti was a favourite of Laszlo Csaba during his reign.

Laszlo Csaba, taking charge of the Cranes for only his third time, rested David Obua, Ibra Sekagya and Geoffrey Massa for the tie despite the fact that his goal-shy team which had only scored a solitary goal in his first 2 games.

His decision appeared vindicated early on when Uganda took a 2-0 lead through Anthony Bongole and Geoffrey Sserunkuuma in the 46th and 69th minutes respectively.

But Bongole went from hero to villain when he saw red, allowing Libya to pull one back. With Libya searching for an equalizer, the match ended in farcical circumstances when Egyptian referee Mohammed Risha added 9 minutes of injury time; during which the hosts scored the winner. 

“This referee is crazy. I have never seen such officiating!” Csaba fumed after the game.

2008: Uganda–Libya 1:1

19 months after the controversial tie at the Zawia Stadium, Csaba and his charges had a chance to avenge the bitter defeat in yet another friendly that was being used to sharpen up for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

With tiresome predictability, Cranes’ preparations were thrown into disarray when midfield lynchpin Tony Mawejje disappeared; leaving Csaba with a skeletal squad that had already been depleted by the omissions of regulars Assani Bajope and Noah Kasule “Babadi.”

“Mawejje has messed me up. He will never play for the national side if I am still in charge,” Csaba angrily stated.

Libya's Osama Ben Saleh is surrounded by yellow shirts during the friendly at Namboole in 2008.

Despite confusion between FUFA and sponsors MTN over pricing for the game, it was well attended and had First Lady Janet Museveni in the stands as the guest of honour.

Exciting prospect Caesar Okhuti from Ediofe Hills scored a stunning goal on 48 minutes to hand Cranes the lead. It was Okhuti’s fourth international goal and a worthy winner but Youness Shibani hadn’t read the script; scoring a late equaliser for Libya.

With Sekagya deployed in an unfamiliar midfield role, a young Musa Doka impressed at a center half while Sam Senoga earned his first international cap.

2013: Uganda–Libya ?:?

Can this game surpass the classics from the past? Well, we can only hope!

On the bright side, this time round, the build-up to the match has come and gone without the melodrama and circus parade atmosphere that bedeviled past Cranes preparations.