The Ugandan football fraternity wakes up in a somber mood following the death of ex-International Friday Ssenyonjo.
The former Bell FC, Express FC and SC Villa midfielder is believed to have passed on in the wee hours of Sunday February 7, 2016 at his home in Kisaasi.
Ssenyonjo; who officially retired from the beautiful game in 2004 after persistent injuries has lived a dangerous life for close to a decade with drinking his best friend.
In arguably his last interview with the press that appeared in Daily Monitor on August 14, 2014, the ex-Cranes attacking midfielder revealed how he wanted the nation to save him from drinking by offering a job.
“Inform the readers that I need a job to save me from alcoholism,” he is quoted to have told the Daily Monitor. “I take a lot of waragi because I have no job. I walk to the bar in the morning then come back home late in the evening I end up struggling to put food on the table for my beautiful family.”
Ssenyonjo brief profile
Ssenyonjo was born in 1974 and started to play football at a very young age thanks to his Grandfather Grace Ssenfuma in Kiira but peers say he only took the game serious when he made 17 years.
His first club was Kisaasi Rangers; his home team in 1991 and while featuring for Kololo SS in 1993, he was spotted by Bell FC Manager Charles Bakkabulindi (current State Minister for Sports) and he joined the Brewers then.
At Bell FC, his exquisite game saw him feature for the national U-21 side.
In 1994, he moved to Express FC and was part of the Red Eagles golden generation then that had among others players Fred Tamale, Joseph Mutyaba, Abu Kigenyi and Phillip Obwiny.
It is believed that following an impressive show against South Africa’s Orlando Pirates in the CAF tie which Express FC lost 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals, the Buccaneers wanted to sign him.
However, Express FC Club Chairman Vincent Bbaale Mugera failed to name the price and Pirates quit the deal.
This forced Ssenyonjo to quit Wankulukuku for Villa Park where he enjoyed his childhood club SC Villa; a side he supported till his death.
“Pirates wanted to sign eight of us but Vincent Bbaale Mugera sabotaged our deal and I moved to my dream club Villa in 1997. The South Africans backed out because Express could not state their asking price,” he told Daily Monitor.
At his new club, he featured for just one season but won a league and cup double.
His career was cut short when he broke his bone.
He missed the game between then and 2000 when he moved to Oman where he joined Majis and then moved to Oman FC where he featured for the Royals’ Purchasing Department in 2001.
While in Abu Dhabi, Ssenyonjo got a knee injury that forced him to return home.
On return, he moved to Military Police FC in 2002 but persistent injuries saw him out and returned the saying that ‘East or West, home is the Best’ came to reality when he returned to his first club Kisaasi Rangers.
Friday Ssenyonjo Major Honours
1994: Uganda Cup with Express
1995: League and Cup double (Express)
1996: National League with Express
1998: League and Cup double (SC Villa)
At Kawowo Sports, we pray for Ssenyonjo’s Soul Rests in Eternal Peace and may he strengthen his family and soccer fraternity in this trying moment.
R.I.P Ssenyonjo!