CHAN Return Leg (Sat, 27th, Jul):
Uganda VS Tanzania (Namboole Stadium)-4 :00 p.m
(Uganda leads 1-0 on aggregate)
The good news is that medical examination scans on defender Savio Kabugo’s ankle conducted on Monday morning at a Nakasero based clinic have revealed there is no blood clot nor a split ligament, implying therefore there are less reasons to worry about save for fitness.
However, the basic one is: will the player, who played an instrumental role in the 1-0 Dar es salaam victory a fortnight ago be match- fit enough to play against the fast paced and tricky Tanzanian opposition, who are expected to jet into the country on Wednesday by Precision Air at 4PM.
It is now less than 4 days before Uganda Cranes engages Tanzania’s Taifa Stars in the return leg of the Championships of African Nations (CHAN) at Namboole.
Uganda Cranes king pin defender, Savio Kabugo faces a torrid race against man’s second last enemy, time to be fit for the game having missed the trial game against Kobs last Friday.
At only 18 years, Kabugo, who featured for the National U-17 team against Zambia in 2010, has become such a reliable figure at the heart of his Sports Club Victoria University team central defence as he does for the Pearl of Africa nation, Uganda.
He helped the Uganda Cranes keep a clean sheet against Tanzania at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, barely a fortnight ago. Perhaps, following a twist of his ankle last Thursday, doubts have cast over readiness for the game, as he has spent more hours in the sick bay than on the football ground. “I feel much better than when I had first got the injury”, the soft spoken Kabugo revealed to the reporter who met him on the sidelines stretching while watching over his colleague in training on Monday.
PLAN B
Head Coach, Milutin Sedrojevic has already planned for solutions just in case the dependable fails to recover in a record time. “I expect him to recover, it is just a twist. Besides, we have lads who can equally play there”, Micho is quoted to have said on the day Savio got the injury.
Kira Young defender, Ibra was on Sunday evening summoned on short notice as a back-up while Richard Kassaga, Dennis Iguma and Fahad Kawooya can equally play that central defence role.
The over 33 Million Ugandans are definitely praying Savio fully recovers to take up the role he has perfected over time.
Who is Savio Kabugo?
Kabugo is an orphan with both parents (Betty Natatudde and Jackson Bakayana) dead. He was born on the 20th January 1995. He attended his Primary education at Aliayah Primary School (Kamwokya, Kanjokya Street). He procedded to City High (S.1), Oxford Secondary, Kawempe (S.2) before completing his O & A Level studies at Mulusa Academy in Wobulenzi , Luweero District.
Troublesome Past:
He grew up with Justine Nantume (now deceased), footballer Ivan Bukenya’s mother. After the death of Justine, Kabugo moved to stay with his siblings (Hamis Kiyemba, Cathy Nagawa, Ronald Luthlire and Ritah Abine).
“I miss my parents so much, but am strengthened by God’s grace”, Kabugo, who is set to return to South Africa to finalize his deal with Bid Vest University, a team in the South African Premier league says.
To attest to this, after Cranes’ first leg at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Kabugo returned and paid heart felt tribute to his fallen parents’ tombs in Mukono.
Football Clubs Played for:
Savio played for Kamwokya Football Academy (2008/10), Bukoto Tigers (2010), Mulusa Academy Wobulenzi (Luweero first Division-2010/11), from where he was spotted by Proline Soccer Academy (2011/12) and Sports Club Victoria University (2012/13).
Football life has not been a bed of roses for Kabugo. “Coaches would neglect me saying am too young and they put me aside. It pained me a lot up to now”, Kabugo bitterly recalls.
Glory:
“God is real, who I am today to be playing for the mighty Uganda Cranes?” Kabugo, a Sports Club Victoria University Fans Player of the year 2012/13 exclaims. He thanks all the personalities who have helped him along the way. Coaches like Benedicto Kiwanuka “Namaleego” of Wobulenzi , Christo Bongole of Kamwokya, Steven Bogere (Proline), Ssetumba ‘Patrick Viera’, Mujib ‘Jiba’ Kasule (Proline), Richard De Boer ‘White Man’ Coach Micho, among many others.
Role Model:
Former Uganda Cranes Captain, Ibra Ssekagya, who recently signed a lucrative contract with the New York Red Bulls is Savio’s role model. “I have for a long time admired Ssekagya’s personality on and off the pitch, he is just awesome”, Kabugo says.
Lowest Life Moment:
‘Growing up without any parents will hurt me for life, however, sportingly, when we beat Zambia in the National U-17 team and were disqualified will forever pain me”, Kabugo adds without further need for elaboration.
Fellow Ugandans, lets pray for Savio’s quick recovery and Uganda’s eventual qualification to the CHAN main Championships in South Africa come 2014.
