The justification that coaching a football club is one of the most delicate and temporary jobs is further being confirmed.
As you read this, FUFA Super league side, Bright Stars football club has parted way with one of their most loyal servants — Charles Livingstone Mbabazi as head coach.
An official statement released by the club indicates that the two parties have agreed to part ways on mutual consent.
“Bright Stars FC has confirmed that Head Coach Livingstone Charles Mbabazi has left the club on mutual consent”, a club statement reads.
Trouble for the former Uganda Cranes international is believed to have started towards the end of the 2013/14 season when the team desperately fought for survival against the relegation monster.
One of the moves was to introduce another coaching staff, John Kayanja as the season progressed and this did not appeal well to Mbabazi, who at the time also doubled as a football player with the now promoted Lweza f.c.
“Mbabazi had trouble with some players. Besides, he was playing football for Lweza and had less time to be with Bright Stars”, a highly placed source within the club told Kawowo Sports.
At the end of the day, Mbabazi worked with Kayanja and the Kawempe based club survived in their debut season in the FUFA Super League 2013/2014 season.
“We would like to thank Livingstone Charles Mbabazi for his tenacity and single-mindedness in handling the club on its maiden appearance in the top flight league last season. Everyone at the club would like to wish him all the best for the future”, the statement further reads.
The Management of the club will continue searching for Mbabazi’s replacement while the technical committee is on ground trying to get players for strengthening the squad in preparation for the 2014/2015 football season.
Mbabazi becomes the second victim after Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) sacked Paul ‘latest’ Nkata last month.
Meanwhile, Joseph Mutyaba, formerly with Mutundwe Lions has joined Kefa Kisala at the Jinja based Bul football club as assistant coach.
Who is Charles Livingstone Mbabazi?
Born on 18 October 1980, Mbabazi was a versatile player with the ability to play on either wing or as a forward. Locally, he played for SC Villa and KCC FC before joining Ireland’s St. Patrick popularly known as Saints.
Mbabazi made his Saints debut on St. Stephen’s Day 1999 against Athlone Town in the Leinster Senior Cup. Mbabazi became a huge fans’ favourite, scoring his first goal against Longford Town in a League match at Richmond Park.
In June 2002 Mbabazi scored against HNK Rijeka in the 2002 UEFA Intertoto Cup. This game went down in history for ‘Pats’ as it was their first ever win in European club competition. After going through on away goals he again netted in the next round in the home tie against K.A.A. Gent.
In 2003, he was forced to retire due to a heart problem after collapsing on the pitch in a league game versus Bohemians. His testimonial against a Brian Kerr select took place in November 2004 before his return to Uganda.
However, he returned to playing football in 2006 Hà Nội ACB where he featured till 2008 before joining Binh Duong FC in 2009.
Mbabazi won over twenty caps for Uganda. He was named Bright Stars head coach on 28th June 2013.
