The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda| THE INDEPENDENT | Whether he leaves or not, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevich’s name will remain etched in Uganda’s football history as the coach who broke the jinx!
History will state that in 1978, Uganda Cranes reached the final of the Nations Cup finals, falling to Ghana 2-0. Jimmy Kirunda and Phillip Omondi were some of the great names that Ugandan soccer would talk about for over 3 decades as players who last featured in the Nations Cup finals.
For close to four decades after 1978, Cranes beat all the giants from Ghana, Zambia to Nigeria, but qualification eluded them.
Uganda’s sports history will also add that FUFA presidents and coaches came and went but success remained elusive — until Lawrence Mulindwa in 2013. Then FUFA President Mulindwa, decided to bite the bullet and sack coach Bobby Williamson who had done a tremendous job with the team. In came ‘Micho’, and the rest is history.
Williamson had come in to replace Csaba László, who resigned in July 2008 to go to Hearts in Scotland, despite a running contract. Williamson had led Cranes to four CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup trophies since 2008 but failed to secure qualification to the African Nations Cup in his five-year tenure – on one occassion failing on the very final day of qualification.
“FUFA hasn’t received any communication in regard to rumours that Cranes coach Micho has resigned. The Serbian is still under contract,” Federation of Uganda Football Associations FUFA said Saturday.
They were reacting to stories that Micho had said goodbye after his new look Cranes had humbled South Sudan 5-1 in the CHAN tournament second leg – at the Phillip Omondi Stadium.
Their next opponents – Rwanda.
Micho has handled Rwanda before as well.
Micho went via St.George in Ethiopia, Orlando Pirates in South Africa and Rwanda before coming to Uganda. He has complained for years about failure by FUFA to pay his salary under the agreed contract.
FUFA issued a statement Saturday night talking of a meeting with the national coach on Monday, but, another mutual separation seems to be in the pipeline.
LIVE: Paul Mucureezi grabs 4 as Uganda whips South Sudan 5-1➡️ #CHAN2018 at Lugogo. https://t.co/H2YU0JerAQ pic.twitter.com/LTc51GHl2X
— The Independent (@UGIndependent) July 22, 2017
FUFA STATEMENT ON UGANDA CRANES COACH https://t.co/HYAeOvysyc @Airtel_Ug @michocoach @MosesMagogo @AhmedMarsha @EdgarSWatson @PRAU_Uganda
— Uganda FA [FUFA] (@OfficialFUFA) July 22, 2017
Uganda is master place of creating rumours myself I clearly stated we shall see what will happen in next 48 hours
— MICHOcoach (@michocoach) July 23, 2017
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
SH660M: Museveni clears Micho’s salary, boosts Cranes https://t.co/KYdOL8jUHX pic.twitter.com/6cAUg22wCV
— The Independent (@UGIndependent) October 1, 2016
FUFA issues statement on Micho https://t.co/MSwLYTTJRZ pic.twitter.com/RdGMjOXQ4D
— The Independent (@UGIndependent) September 8, 2016
