A top Italian club is in secret talks with Uganda Cranes and St George goalie, Robert Odongkara. “The club agent has been in constant contact with me since the two Uganda Cranes 2014 World Cup Qualifiers at Namboole against Libera and Angola”, Odongkara says.
Kawowo Sports’ David Isabirye had an exclusive interview at the Entebbe-Katabi residence of the shot stopper whose humble personality off the soccer turf has never reflected his agility and hard to beat antics while in the goal posts on the pitch.
“At the moment, I will not let the cat out of the bag because I believe it is not the right time since I still have a running contract with my Ethiopian club, St George till June 2014. For now, I can reveal that it is a Serie B club,” a press shy Odongkara begins to open up.
ENDURING EARLY CHILDHOOD:
Born on 2nd September 1989 to the late Jimmy Achaye and Rose Anyeko in Kitgum, Northern Uganda, Odongkara , a second born in the family of 6, faced many challenges because his father’s incomes off his security job were too little to support the family.
Nevertheless, he managed to start his elementary education at Murchison Bay Primary school (Luzira in Kampala) before he completed his Primary Leaving Examinations at Rev. John Kitintale Primary School.
His secondary school journey was perhaps more complicated as he had to study from three different schools and districts: Sir Samuel Baker (Gulu) and Town College (Kitgum) for his Ordinary Level Certificate before transferring to Entebbe based Entebbe Parents in Wakiso District for the Advanced Level (A-Level).
“After A-level, dad had no money, I played Masaza football with Mawogola (in 2008) for a living then. Its from there that I was spotted by Coach Tamale Pinto to go to S.C Villa,” recollects Odongkara of his trend to success.
IBRAHIM KONGO, SSEKAGYA AND CASILLAS AN INSPIRATION:
Odongkara attests his love for the goal posts to former Cranes Goal Custodian, Ibrahim Kongo, formerly of UEB (Umeme), KCC, SC Villa, Express and later Uganda Revenue Authority. “I grew up in Luzira, watching Kongo make darling saves, I wished to be like him one day”. Odongkara , who also admires Cranes teammate and friends Godfrey ‘Jajja Walu’ Walusimbi and Emma Okwi, says.
Odongkara, still reserves praises for Former Cranes talisman and Captain, Ibrahim Ssekagya for his awesome leadership abilities on and off the soccer turf. “Ssekagya would point out your weaknesses and praise you where it is due,” says the shot stopper.
In Ethiopia, Odongkara loves to watch his teammate, Bekele Shamarezi in action and on the international scene, Spain and Real Madrid Captain Ike Casillas is his pick.
MICHO, NOW LIKE FATHER:
When his father, Jimmy Achaye passed on in February 2008, surely, Odongkara lost a dad, a friend, a counselor and a motivator. 4 Years after the demise, he found a perfect replacement in a Serbian national, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic , the current Uganda Cranes coach, whom he first interacted with personally during his early days at St.George in 2012.
“Coach Micho is more of a dad to me. He would advise me, that the football spell as a player is very short, I needed to live a responsible lifestyle, and to save the little I have and become a better and respected person in the community”, Odongkara says of the Serbian as tears roll down his cheeks.
A DARLING IN ETHIOPIA:
On every street, the cooperates, markets, learning institutions, taxi and bus parks, restaurants, pubs, hotels, casinos and even among the ladies of the night, the name Odongkara sinks at the back of every one’s mind at first mention.
Infact at one stage, the Ethiopian Football Federation approached Odongkara with a hefty offer to nationalize and play for the horn of Africa, something he vividly rejected with a hope of playing for the Cranes.
“They presented before me a 60 Million proposal to become Ethiopian, which I ignored because, I knew my chance with the Cranes was coming. Everyone in life has that chance. Whether my mentor Onyango was injured or not and my time had approached, it would still be me in the Cranes goal posts”, a smiling Odongkara, who now speaks fluent Amharic, the Ethiopian National Language, says.
Speaking of his first Uganda Cranes assignment, he confesses that he was more than comfortable to face fresh challenges. “On a debut, any other person can develop nerves, but I adjusted quickly and played my game”, he adds.
Today, Odongkara takes full care of his siblings Beatrice Atim, Christine Akello, Sandra Aber, Dennis Okot and Emma Ochitti. He is the family’s main bread winner. He has invested immensely in the real estate business with four different land plots and structures in Entebbe Municipality.
The roller coaster journey of Odongkara has been a challenging trend; though he is set to reach even greater professional heights with prospects of joining the European scene envisaged in this Italian deal being negotiated. As usual, Kawowo Sports will keep you updated with the latest developments to unfold.
ODONGKARA’s CAREER AT A GLANCE:
Northern Elephants F.C (Kitgum)-2002/3
Mupero Tanda F.C (Entebbe)-2004/6
Club Sportive (Entebbe)-2007
S.C Villa (Kampala)-2008/10
Uganda Revenue Authority (URA)-2011
St George (Ethiopia)- 2012-Todate
