There would have been a slim chance for Moses Basena to stay as Uganda Cranes’ coach even if the team had qualified for a maiden appearance at the Fifa World Cup next year.
But once Egypt booked their ticket to Russia - a World Cup chance for the first time in 28 years - Fufa began the process to search for Cranes’ boss. Early this week, Uganda’s FA announced that they were open to applications for the post that Basena will vacate when the road to Russia ends after an away fixture at Congo-Brazzaville on November 6. “Applications are now open for the Uganda Cranes job and qualified applicants from Uganda and abroad can apply,” said Fufa CEO Edgar Watson. “Eligible persons are requested to send in their applications through
[email protected] starting 23rd to 29th October 2017.” read part of a statement on the Fufa website.
Key in steering the search for Cranes’ next coach is Zambian legend Kalusha Bwalya. “We have considered Kalusha Bwalya because of his legacy in African football as a player, an administrator and a member of the CAF Technical Committee,” noted Watson. Fufa insists that a new coach will be announced by November 15 and that will be the man who will guide Uganda Cranes at the Chan 2018 finals in Morocco next year.
Also, the next coach will have to ride on the 1-0 win over Cape Verde to intensify the chances of earning a ticket to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. Basena, who guided the Cranes past Rwanda to Chan, has been the interim coach ever since Micho Sredojevic quit the job to join South African club Orlando Pirates. Current KCCA FC coach Mike Mutebi is the last Ugandan to permanently tutor the national team.
PAST UGANDA CRANES’ COACHES
1969-1972: Burkhard Pape
1973-1974: David Otti
1974-1975: Westerhoff Otto
1976-1981, 1983: Peter Okee
1982: Bidandi Ssali
1984-1985: George Mukasa
1986-1988: Barnabas Mwesigwa
1988-1989: Robert Kiberu
1989-1995: Polly Ouma
1995-1996: Timorthy Ayieko
1996-1999: Asuman Lubowa
1999: Paul Hasule
1999-2001: Harrison Okagbue
2001-2003: Paul Hasule
2003: Pedro Pasculi
2003-2004: Leo Adraa
2004: Mike Mutebi
2004-2006: Mohammood Abbas
2006-2008: Laszlo Csaba
2008-2013: Bobby William
2013-2017: Milutin Sredojevic
August, 2017 - Todate: Moses Basena
ABOUT KALUSHA BWALYA
Date of birth: August 16, 1963
Age: 54
Nationality: Zambian
FOOTBALL HONOURS
Eredivisie (Dutch League): 1990–91, 1991–92.
KNVB Cup (Dutch Cup): 1989–90.
Johan Cruijff Schaal (Dutch Super Cup): 1991–92.
Pop Poll d'Echte Cercle Brugge KSV: Player of the Year: 1986–87 & 1987–88.
African Footballer of the Year: 1988
Cercle Brugge top scorer: 1987 & 1988
This writer is a scribe with Daily Monitor Newspaper and, also a sports presenter with NBS Television and Radio One FM 90 in Kampala. Follow him on Twitter: @AllanDarren and his Facebook Page: Darren Allan Kyeyune