Uganda Cranes Coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has compared Simba SC and Uganda international footballer Emmanuel Okwi to Real Madrid FC and Portuguese Star Cristiano Ronaldo.
Micho praised the striker following his hat trick in the Tanzania Premier league on Wednesday that helped his side garner three points with a 4-0 win over Mgambo JKT at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Micho said Okwi is not very different from the 3 time FIFA Ballon d’or winner. The coach however admitted that more impressive performances are expected of Okwi to match consistent Ronaldo.
“I strongly believe and hope that his best football is yet to come. Nothing can impress as I know what brand and kind of football he can play,” Micho told Kawowo Sports.
“As the Uganda national football team head coach, I am not happy as this is supposed to be his Emmanuel’s permanent standard not occasion,” he said of the hat trick.
“He is more than capable of doing it on permanent basis. He is for me Ugandan version of Cristiano Ronaldo but difference is that other one is doing on permanent basis scoring.
“Ours, the last time did something for Cranes was in December 2013 in CECAFA when even sick with malaria delivered for him normal assistances [sic] and goals. Then he switched off because of he lost himself.
“I pray hard that he will resurrect himself and do what is capable of doing it will be good for Cranes and good for himself and his respected family. Meanwhile wherever he is and whatever he does may almighty god bless him and give him the best.”
22-year-old delighted Okwi was the a hat trick hero in Tanzania as Cristiano Ronaldo only delivered an assist for on-loan Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez Chicharito, who netted Madrid’s UEFA Champions League winner over Atletico.
Okwi has scored 18 goals for the Uganda national football team, the Cranes since his first call up in 2009. Cristiano Ronaldo has netted 52 goals since 2003 for Portugal.
Okwi has not only scored one hat trick in Tanzania. The player found the back of the net three times in what is regarded as the “best match of his life” when Simba faced rivals Yanga in 2012. They were 2 penalties on him with historical final result 5-0 in favor of Simba.
Okwi joined Tanzania’s Simba in August of 2014 on a six month contract, and later extended for two years at the club in December. He has since been very vital in their quest for a top finish.
He is enjoying his second stint at the club after spells at Tunisia’s Etoile Du Sahel, SC Villa and Yanga.
