Upon announcing his retirement from active football, Ibrahim Sekagya has received close to a million farewell messages from fans, friends, relatives, coaches, pundits and surprisingly foes alike.
After a 20 year old glittering career that has witnessed several ups and downs, the former Ugandan skipper has finally retired from football.
I am happy for the career. It has been like a journey. A long the way, things go right and sometimes, you meet challenges. It has been a remarkable experience for me
Sekagya, who has been given a back room coaching job for New York Red Bulls Team B said.
This could probably be a new chapter for the 34 year old dependable defender, as he embarks on a coaching ladder.
20 years ago, Sekagya started to play football at Equatorial Football club in Kawempe First division.
He then moved on to feature for State House and KCC F.C in the league before he ventured professional stints in Argentina with Atletico de Rafaela, Ferro Carril Oeste and Arsenal de Sarandi .
He moved to Red Bulls Salzburg in Austria before he transferred to the sister club in the United States, where he enjoyed a great spell with world super stars including French world cup winner, Thierry Henry, who has also since retired.
His club career has seen him transverse 3 different continents and play for 5 different clubs in Argentina, Austria and United States of America – featuring in 394 matches scoring 16 goals.
He featured in 35 Uganda Cranes matches between 1999 to 2011 when he quit international football scoring 3 goals.
Family life remains a crucial component of humanity and one’s development trend, Sekagya too attaches special value to his family.
I would like to thank my family, especially my wife for all the support she rendered me. I thank all the supporters and teammates I have played with through my career at club and with the national team for making me the player and human being I am today
He said in an exclusive interview with Uganda’s daily paper, The New Vision.
Sekagya’s retirement comes at a time when he was bombarded by an avalanche of offers from Major League and across Europe to continue with playing the beautiful game.
I have taken the decision after consulting with my family and I believe it’s the right time to start a new chapter with Red Bulls. I am still part of the Red Bulls family and I thank them for giving me the opportunity to continue working with them
Sekagya added as quoted by Uganda’s daily, New Vision.
Key of Sekagya’s attributes was the timely composure on the ball and the unique leadership abilities on and off the playing arena.
Sekagya’s retirement is too painful but inevitable. He had a distinguished career. He loved and served his country with passion. He played football as though he was playing cards on the table. He is a typical role model, disciplined, talented and cool tempered. He is a rare breed from Kawempe.
FUFA’s official mouth piece, Ahmed Hussein attests to Kawowo Sports.
Henry Kalungi:
Congratulations to Uganda’s finest Ibra Sekajja on such an amazing career.He is one of a kind and wishing him all the best in the beginning of his new career as the New York Red Bull II assistant coach.Uganda is blessed to have such an amazing person.
He leaves a legacy to many who have passionately followed the game. On countless times, Sekagya was part of the Cranes desperate quest for AFCON qualification glory and probably, he will make it as one of the coaching stuff in the tomorrow years to come.
True exemplary living legend. Success Captain Fantastic, Success Ibrahim Sekagya.
Sekagya Football Carrer:
1995-1996 Equatorial FC
1996-1997 State House
1997–2001 KCC FC
2001–2002 Atletico
2002–2005 Ferro Carri
2005–2007 Arsenal
2007–2013 Salzburg
2013– New York Red Bulls
