Before coach Ibrahim Kirya left Lweza football club for URA FC, the tax collectors’ side had a few ‘burning issues’ to address.
First, the dressing room then controlled by former Uganda Cranes international and stylish left winger Kefa Kisala seemed as though it was disjointed.
Fixtures that looked simple and easy to approach on paper given the quality of the URA playing staff vis-à-vis the opposition proved real a mountain to climb.
The club board then came with a ruling to terminate the employment contract of Kisala heading to the Lweza game away at Wankulukuku stadium.
Ironically, URA who had named Kirya as their next coach was to face Lweza with the cross-legged James Odoch, another great former Uganda Cranes right winger on the bench.
Odoch, who had been Kisala’s assistant, handled URA on the day.
Guess what? Kirya was missing on the Lweza technical bench.
Midfielder Moses Ali Feni gave the visitors the lead with a solo great strike before former striker Hamis ‘Diego’ Kiiza acrobatically volleyed home the winner to give URA and Odoch the valuable three points in the pouch.
Since that time, Kirya has guided URA to four games (including one in the Uganda Cup).
A 1-0 victory away to Sadolin Paints, 2-0 past Soana and The Saints as well as 5-1 over Jinja Municipal Council Hippos in the Uganda Cup has given Kirya a great welcome to a side that he coached 5 seasons ago.
In an exclusive interview with Kawowo Sports on Sunday, Kirya asserts there is nothing special he brought to the team but trust, confidence and mutual respect among the players.
I reminded the players this is our job. We need to work as one unit and block and pull off decent results.
Confidence:
Kirya also assured the players that football is played on confidence.
Good enough, the players I found in place at the club are all experienced guys. I was just a matter of re-assuring them about the key responsibilities and tasks.
This I think has brought back the confidence and the results are showing but there is really nothing special I told them.
Kirya is non-committal on URA’s chances of clinching the league title.
At the moment, I look at whichever match that is in front of me.
I will not talk about the league title because we still have some matches before the end of the season.
Uganda Cup lease of life:
To be sincere, Kirya and URA look to the Uganda Cup as the realistic chance for silverware this term.
The tax collectors will host Express at their Mehta Stadium fortress in Lugazi on Tuesday, 11th April 2017 for quarter finals.
We need to work hard and prepare well so that we knock out Express.
It is the threat at hand standing in our way for the trophy.
This Tuesday, 4th April 2017, URA will play away to Jinja side, BUL at the Kakindu stadium.
