Newly appointed Vipers SC Coach, Jorge Miguel Da Costa Duarte says he is not in Uganda on vacation but work.
The Portuguese was unveiled by the club on Tuesday afternoon on a three year deal and as he officially starts work on Wednesday, he says he’s ready for work.
“I am here to work,” he told Kawowo Sports. “I am not here for a vacation. That’s why I don’t have my wife or children here but thousands of miles away,” he added.
Tasked by the club president, Lawrence Mulindwa to build a strong team right from the academy, Da Costa says his experience with the youth will be key revealing he isn’t afraid to play a young player with quality.
In football, there is no age but quality and commitment. I have worked with young players and if a 15-17 year old proves his worth and not a 27 or 28 year old, I will give him chance.
The 47 year old UEFA ‘B’ coaching license holder also revealed his hunger for success by saying his biggest problem is he wants to win every game.
My biggest problem is that I want to win every game. I want to be better than I was yesterday and this challenge will even make me better. I am here to do my job.
On whether he knew anything about African football and Vipers in particular- the two-time league champions, the flamboyant and confident looking tactician said.
Like the president says, we first made contact 5 years ago and that answers you. But I follow football especially the national teams although we never know enough.
Duarte becomes only the second foreigner to handle Vipers after Ambrose Chukuma, the Nigerian who was fired half way the season.
Like Chukuma, the Portuguese will be assisted by Richard Wasswa and Edward Golola as first and second assistant respectively while Stephen Kiggundu retains his goalkeeper coaching role.