In an exclusive interview with Kawowo Sports, retired Uganda Cranes captain Ibrahim Sekagya has revealed how long it took him to retire from the national team. The 31 year old Red Bull Salzburg key player who battled to try and save his mother’s life avoided promising a return to the national team in future.
The soft spoken Sekagya however urged all Ugandans to continue loving the game of football and put his trust in Andrew Mwesigwa as a good and talented leader who can ably replace him. Despite playing a long side
many quality players in his 15 year career with the Cranes, he points out David Obua as the most talented of the lot and confesses that 1995 World player of the year Liberian George Weah is the toughest opponent he has ever faced. Below is the full interview.
Date of Birth:
19.12.80.
Schools attended:
Amdat P.S, Kawempe Mbogo P.S, Kawempe Muslim Senior Secondary School, and Nagalama Islamics Senior Secondary School.
Who inspired you to play football:
The late Abubaker Mukoddo (RIP).
As a child, which clubs did you support both on the local and international scene:
On the local scene K.C.C and on the International Scene its Barcelona
Records show that you have been a member of the Cranes since mid 90s. What was your first international engagement/appearance for the Cranes:
I started my first national duties in 1996, We won the CECAFA
For how long has it taken you to make this retirement decision:
Actually my retiring was thought even before, but all i wanted was to be with the boys for the AFCON 2012 and then retire from the Cranes. But this very decision took me 5 months.
What has been your experience as the Cranes’ captain for that period:
Memorable, Too much on pressure for my team to deliver, Emotional with all the Support and love all around the Nation and of course Challenges like any other job.
For the time you have been on the national team, what were your best and worst moments in The Cranes colors:
Best moments uganda vs Nigeria win 2-1 and worst moments 08.09.11 when we drew with kenya yet we badly needed a win to qualify for the AFCON 2012.
Who is the toughest opponent you have faced in national colors and why him:
George Weah.
Who is the best player you have played with on the national team and why him (them):
David Obua. He is the best player i have played with on the national team he’s skill and always his crazy saving goals,i will miss them.
The nation is crying that you have left a big void in the national team and that they see no one that can ably fit into your boots at the moment. What is your take and if you can, point at some one who can do the job to your satisfaction:
The nation shouldn’t loose hope at all, am so optmistic that these boys are good and yes they will make it, i trust Andrew Mwesigwa’s capacity he has qualities of a good leader.And what the Nation should know is that “Have resigned from the National duties as a Cranes player but have not thrown my responbility to be with the Cranes as my other Family!.
Great players like Zidane Zinedine reversed their retirement decision at a point, should we expect the same from you:
Apparently i have no say on that! But all i can say is really needed some rest have been going through alot the last 2years fighting for my mum’s life who didn’t make it unfortunately!, this really affected me some how, but thank My club and Teamates who have really been so understanding, who know what it means loosing a dear one, more to this a mother. She is one of the reasons i worked so hard.
What are your last words to the nation:
All i have to say to the Nation is THANK YOU! for the true Support they have shown me in both the good and the Bad moments in and outside my football career with out them i would be nothing for sure. And my other message to them is to please continue with their Support and love for football as a Game, so as to give Moral to the upcoming big football Talents.
