Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) ‘A’ certified coach, Mathias ‘Salongo Matia’ Lule was officially unveiled as the new Express Football Club head tactician for the next three years on Sunday at Kibinge House in Kampala.
At the official unveiling ceremony, the club chairperson, Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi cited the satisfying qualifications of Lule for the post.
Nakiwala, also a State Minister for Youth stated;
Mathias Lule is qualified with all the CAF licences and papers acquired in Europe.
He will steer Express in the right direction for the next 3 years and win trophies as well.
In his submission and acknowledgment speech, Lule, a former Uganda U-17 national team head coach confessed he has been a staunch Express F.C supporter since childhood, asserting he is well aware of the demands of the Red Eagles.
Perhaps, Lule put his intentions clear the trophy is not a short term goal but rather it will be rewarded in the long run while after a gradual team building process.
I am not the coach but rather the team manager at Express F.C.
I am working towards reviving the team structures of the club from all the under-age teams.
I will not promise Heaven on earth. Express made me what I am.
Being a long term supporter of the club since I was 4 years old and been at the club as player and coach, I am excited to be back and serve.
He however faces a stern test in managing a demanding club as Express that has gone years with silverware.
Express chairperson, Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi hands over the club jersey to Mathias Lule at Kibinge House
At times, the club’s passionate yet sometimes impatient fans have given the club management a good run of their money.
Fine, football fans world over love to witness their clubs at heart winning games week in, week out, but the demand at Express is beyond expected.
Lule, who is yet to come up with a back room staff in a few day’s time would need to ‘re-organize’ the house.
Express fans love that romantic but effective brand of football quality and I am sure, Lule is the right person in that line of thought having excelled at talent identification courses attended world over and handled skilled youngsters in his coaching career.
Little wonder therefore, during the hey days of the club, the tagline ‘square pass’ sounded prominently all over at the ‘Mayuuni’ club.
Lule would need to rhyme at par with authorities above him at Wankulukuku, accord the fans that due respect and set working guidelines for the active and non-playing staff.
Express needs to get titles once again. The fans and management have run impatient for the right reasons.
Lule would need some time to re-organize the house structures but the top priority would be geared towards working for a championship.
Good enough, as a former player and coach at the club, he is well aware of the club politicking, demands and expectations.
The eyes are wide open.
