The Uganda football fraternity has gone into mourning after the death of Express FC ‘Manager’ Abdul Kinobe, with tributes pouring in from all fans, administrators, and fans.
Tagged ‘Manager for life’ at Mutesa II stadium, Wankulukuku based side, Kinobe died on Wednesday aged 70, just a few days after he had been discharged from hospital where he was on treatment following a heart attack.
Here is how the football fraternity reacted;
Express FC Coach Wasswa Bbosa who played for the Red Eagles described the deceased as a guardian and confidant who always worked hard for the club to succeed.
“I really don’t know where to start from. Hajji Kinobe’s loss is a massive gap that will be difficult to fill, he ate, slept, breathed express fc, we’ve had so many low moments at the club but he kept encouraging us to keep going, i have lost a guardian, friend and confidant, we can only celebrate his life and work harder like he always said”.
Former Express FC left back Peter Lwebuga couldn’t believe he had lost someone who took him to the club.
“He (Kinobe) spotted me and took me to Express FC. I just can’t believe he is no more but all we pray is that he Rests in Eternal Peace.”
The Club Chief Photographer Aminah Babirye revealed how the late warmly welcomed him at the club.
Express FC Communications Manager Peter Tabu described Kinobe as the club’s Encyclopedia.
The Football’s governing body FUFA joined the family in mourning a ‘foot soldier’ of the beautiful game.
ABOUT ABDUL KINOBE
Born 70 years ago to Mr. Sulaiman Ssewagudde and Ms. Aminah Naku, both deceased, Mr. Kinobe Abdul was an ardent Express FC fan from 1968 during his youthful years.
His love for the team was born out of his admiration of the late Ali Kitonsa who at the time was the club’s top marksman, now the club’s all-time leading goal scorer albeit the maternal relation between them.
He worked as the team manager in 2011/12 when the Red Eagles last won the championship and not even numerous changes at the club have ousted him thus earning the name ‘ Manager for Life’.
Rest in Peace Kinobe
May ALLAH GRANT YOU JANNAH, YOU WERE SO GOOD TO EACH ONE THAT EER MET YOU , YOU WERE A CONTEMPORARY TO ALL AGE GROUPS, AS a CHILD I TOLD YOU I WANTEDT TO BE PART OF MONITOR GROUP THEN, AND YOU MADE ALL EFFORTS TO GET MY ARTICLES ALWAYS PUBLISHED IN THE CHILDRENS CORNER. WE SHALL FOREVER MISS YOU, YOU HAVE ALWAYS DOWN PLAYED WHAT WE THOUGHT MOST DIFFICULT.