{UAH} Abbey/WBKOmondi led exceptional team at Uganda Cranes’ last Nations Cup appearance - Daily Monitor
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Omondi led exceptional team at Uganda Cranes' last Nations Cup appearance
Four decades ago, Uganda Cranes belonged to crème de la crème of African football, reaching the Nations Cup final in 1978.
All that is said about that team is the excellence of talismanic striker Philip Omondi (RIP) who finished as top scorer with three goals as Uganda lost 2-0 to eventual champions Ghana in Accra.
There was more to that team than Omondi and these are the other member or arguably the best Cranes' side this country has produced and what became of them thereafter.
GOALKEEPERS
Paul Ssali (Simba)
The eternal number one was thrown into jail following the violent change of government in 1979. Upon his release in 1982, he joined KCC where he played until retirement in 1988.
"There was no big difference because it wasn't the first time. We used to qualify regularly. It was not special like now," Ssali, a Fufa delegate, says.
Jamil Kasirye (KCC)
Today, Kaisrye is a businessman in Mukono dealing in agricultural produce unlike 34 years ago. He joined KCC from Lint in the year Cranes went to the Nations Cup.
From there, he moved to SC Villa becoming the captain of the side that went unbeaten in 1981. In 1984, he went to Bank of Uganda (BOU).
One year later, he retired to coach several teams among them Umeme, Hodari, Lake Katwe, Posta, national U-21 team and Misindye.
Hussein Matovu (KCC)
Then first choice at KCC, Matovu had moved to Lugogo from Kilembe Mines three seasons prior to 1978.
He went on to play semi-professional football in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after the Nations Cup and is now a businessman in Kasese.
DEFENDERS
Edward Ssemwanga (Prisons, RIP)
The eternal right back for the Uganda Cranes and Prisons of the 70s joined Masaka Union upon returning from Ghana. Caf outlawed teams being called by forces so his team became Maroons. He passed on in 1993.
Sam Musenze (KCC, RIP)
Musenze took the place of Ashe Mukasa at left back after the latter got afraid when he watched the group opener between Morocco and Tunisia.
The KCC captain was not as fast as many a left back but backed on game reading. He retired in 1985 and died nine years later.
Ashe Mukasa (KCC)
Following the February 17, 1977 ban on Express by government, Mukasa joined KCC to gain fitness and a slot into the Nations Cup team.
He rejoined Express after the fall of the Idi Amin government to become a coach/player and later team manager. Mukasa also became manager of the Uganda Cranes in 1992 and is now a businessman in Kampala.
Tom Lwanga (KCC)
Lwanga left Fiat for KCC in 1972 and was among the players who went to the UAE after Ghana '78. He returned in 1984 and retired three years later.
He became coach and won the 1991 league title and took over from Mike Mutebi in 1997 to clinch the same crown. He was worked as a sports officer at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).
Rashid Mudin (KCC, RIP)
Mudin, an all-round defender, left KCC for the defunct UCB in 1971 where he played for two years before returning to his parent side.
He retired in 1984 to work as a journalist before passing on in June, 1998 in an accident during a rally in Karamoja region.
Jimmy Kirunda (KCC)
Kirunda, a three-time Nations Cup veteran, played for KCC from 1971 and also served as a sports officer at the same time.
After the continental show piece, he moved to UAE then joined Villa, winning the league in 1982.Kirunda rejoined KCC in 1983 then retired the following year.
Recently, he worked at Fufa as a personal assistant to the president having also coached Buikwe Red Stars in 1986 and served as sports officer of Uganda Co-operative Union till 1992.
Meddie Lubega (Simba, RIP)
Another soldier in the side. Lubega was also jailed and only left prison in 1982 for home side Masaka Union before his death in 1983.
MIDFIELDERS
Mike Kiganda (Nsambya, RIP)
Those who saw Kiganda regard him as the most complete player in midfield. When the government banned Express, Nsambya offered an escape route and he later played for Masaka Union after Ghana '78. Kiganda died in 1986.
Timothy Ayeikoh (KCC)
Ironically, Ayeikoh missed the final after leaving his passport in the hotel room. In 1979, he crossed to Kenya's Gor Mahia where he was coach/player.
He came back in 1985 as an assistant at Villa then joined Uganda Cranes in the same role from 1989-95 under Polly Ouma.
When Asuman Lubowa took over in 1996, he left the national team set-up and now works as a sports officer with Kakira Sugar Works.
Abbey Nassur (Prisons)
Thanks to his work rate, Nassur slotted in at the right wing. Change of government one year after the Nations Cup forced him to Kenya with Gor Mahia.
He retired in 1978 and later on coached KCC (2001) and Maji. He lives a quiet life in Kampala without a job.
Jimmy Muguwa (UCB)
Last seen cleaning and arranging seats at Nakivubo Stadium pavilion, Muguwa was a gem with UCB (1976-82) though he stayed on the bench during the event.
He joined Express after UCB and retired four years later to coach the Red Eagles leading them to a league and cup double in 1995.
Moses Ssentamu (KCC)
One of the one-club men was Ssentamu as he played for KCC between 1974 and '85. He works in the clearing and forwarding business since retirement 16 years ago.
Moses Nsereko (KCC, RIP)
Like Ssentamu, Nsereko only featured in KCC (1970-85). In his latter six years, the institution made him a coach/player.
Led KCC to their first league title in 1981 but was sacked in '87 which opened the door to Fufa where he served as general secretary from 1987. Nsereko was killed by assailants in Nkokonjeru in 1991.
STRIKERS
Polly Ouma (Simba)
Ouma joined Simba from Coffee in 1967 and stayed there till 1979. He crossed to Kenya to coach Kanetco and came back to win Villa a double as coach in 1986.
Under him, the club also won their first Cecafa Club title a year later. Geoff Hudson took over and Ouma was on his way to Bell and KCC before becoming national coach in 1989.
Cranes won the regional Cecafa title in '89, '90 and '92 but resigned in '95 when his team was battered 6-0 by Egypt. He is part of the Army Veterans Association.
Godfrey Kisitu (Simba, RIP)
Jail gave Kisitu a call in 1979 as the government imprisoned most of the former soldiers for three years. He went to Villa after regaining freedom and was there for four years.
Coffee gave him a final chance to earn bread from 1986-89 then he briefly played, worked and coached UEB in lower division football before retiring. Kisitu died in 1993.
Philip Omondi (KCC, RIP)
Often referred to as the greatest player of his generation, Omondi came to KCC from Fiat and stayed for seven years from 1972.
From Ghana, he went to the UAE only to rejoin KCC in 1982 where he played till retirement as a coach/player ('87). He died on April 23, 1999.
Fred Isabirye (Simba, RIP)
Isabirye died fighting in the 1979 war.
Barnabas Mwesiga (Nsambya)
Mwesiga played for Nsambya until 1979 then joined Mbarara and later Kilembe Mines before retirement in 1983.
In 1985, he was appointed Uganda Cranes coach and now works with the Born Again Ministries of Uganda.
Management:
Peter Okee (coach, RIP),
Jaberi Bidandi Ssali (team manager),
Timothy Mutesasira (doctor),
Gerald Ssendawula (acting Fufa chairman)
Nassur Abdullah (Head of delegation).
1978 NATIONS CUP RESULTS
Group B: Uganda 3-1 Congo Brazzaville
Goals: Omondi, Ouma and Kisitu
Tunisia 3-1 Uganda
Goal: Isabirye
Uganda 3-0 Morocco
Goals: Omondi, Nsereko and Kisitu
Semifinal: Uganda 2-1 Nigeria
Goals: Nassur, Omondi
Final: Ghana 2-0 Uganda
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