Hakim Magumba retires

By Fred Kaweesi

• Testimonial match: August 22

HAKIM Magumba has finally decided to draw the curtains on what has been an illustrious playing career.

And to celebrate a career that has registered tremendous success over the last 20 years, a testimonial –the first of its kind is being organized for August 22 at Nakivubo Stadium.

In an exclusive interview with New Vision on Saturday, the former Cranes and SC Villa star, stated that: “I feel it’s time to retire. I have achieved a lot and I would want to thank all the fans that have supported me through the 20 years I have played football for club and country.”

In his playing career, Magumba has played with quality players, a majority of whom have promised to honour his testimonial match next month.

The star-studded list will include his former Villa teammates Edgar Watson, Phillip Ssozi, Hassan Mubiru, Andrew Mukasa, Ronald Mugabi, Andy Mwesigwa and others such as David Obua, Willy Kyambadde, Wilber Musika and George Ssimwogerere among others. Uganda’s celebrated artist Eddie Kenzo –a former player at SC Villa –will also play during testimonial.

Magumba, who also played for Iganga, Kira Young and Rwandan side Atraco, retires with a list of honours that includes domestic and international silverware.

“I thank all the supporters, offi cials and teammates I have played with through my career for making me the person I am today,” he added.

The 34 year-old has decided to bow out after winning seven league titles, four Kakungulu Cup trophies, two CECAFA titles, one Hedex, Tusker and Castle Cup titles. 

His latest honour was the Uganda Cup he won with Villa last season.

He also represented Uganda in the Coca Cola championship during the Youth Championships in Ethiopia in 1996. 

Exceptional was the word that was commonly associated with Magumba throughout his playing career and although Ugandan football has produced talented midfielders down the years, very few matched Magumba’s qualities, pace, consistency and commitment to the sport.

If the player nicknamed ‘boda boda’ by Villa fans for his speed with the ball, had not been troubled with injuries –most notable the one that excluded him from the All Africa Games in 1999, he would have been ranked as Uganda’s finest in the area – an honour currently reserved for the likes of Steven Bogere, Fred Mugisha, Mike Kiganda, Edgar Watson, Moses Nsereko, Mathew Luchya, Vincent Semanobe.

As it is, Magumba, still retires as one of the best of his generation, a fair achievement for a career littered with various honours that will forever hung in the memories of football fans.

“I am proud of what I achieved. But I also retire with painful memories, like the goal I scored in the 1-0 loss to Rwanda that could have helped Uganda qualify for the Nations Cup. The ball went in but the assistant referee failed to notice. The

Cranes officials felt that if I had celebrated, it could have counted,” he said.

“But overall, I did my best for all the national teams (youth and senior) and I am proud to have played with so many special players. I really admired the late Wilson Gayi and Willy Kyambadde. But I must say Kyambadde was a special talent. I however, can’t forget Edgar Watson, who helped me settle in at Villa.”

But just how did Magumba manage to play at the highest level as consistently as he did?

“It was all down to how I managed my personal schedule. I managed my time so well for everything. I also took good care of myself. I don’t drink and don’t smoke. I live a very decent life. The fear of being embarrassed also forced me into working so hard. I played under pressure all the time because I had players looking up to me. I did not have a bad season in my entire career,” he added.