It’s perhaps a worry for Ugandan football fans to learn that Micho took a lot of time to reject Nigeria and other well paying jobs, but the fact that he did at all is admirable enough in itself.
According to Uganda coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic, he is ‘the only man to refuse to coach the Nigeria Super Eagles’, despite being paid peanuts and overdue in Uganda.
It’s widely understood that Micho was courted by The Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick between 2014 when he led Uganda to the CHAN finals in South Africa and in February this year as first choice ahead of Franco-German coach Gernot Rohr when they fired then Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh.
But according to the Serbian tactician, he turned down Nigeria’s overtures, and is the only man to do so.
“Nigeria approached me, I refused to join them and several other offers have come my way but I told them I’m still committed to Uganda,” he explained to journalists at Fufa House, Mengo Wednesday.
It’s perhaps a worry for Ugandan football fans to learn that Micho took a lot of time to reject Nigeria and other well paying jobs, but the fact that he did at all is admirable enough in itself.
“I have showed my commitment towards Uganda in bad and good times,” Micho added.
Nigeria’s Gernot Rohr is earning the sum of $47, 000 approximately Ugandan shillings 171 million per month. Our sources at Fufa also indicate that Micho earns about $12,000 (Sh43.6m) a month.
When September started, Micho ran to Fifa’s dispute resolution chamber in Zurich to report outstanding five months dues in salary, match bonuses and air tickets amounting to Shs235m or more that was later to be allegedly cleared by President Museveni a month later.
Asked how he can continue working in the current state of affairs, Micho said: “I’m a professional that has done half work qualifying and full work will be in Gabon. If I stop working, I will be in breach of contract like Uganda is now. That is why legal action is taken”
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The former Rwanda coach also revaled that his Cranes side will be based at Al Wasl FC, a multi-sports stadium where the Cranes will put final touches to their preparations as Uganda look to return to Afcon for the first time since 1978.
Uganda is in Group D along with the Afcon 2015 finalists Ghana, seven-time record champions Egypt as well as Mali.
The Cranes open their campaign against Ghana on January 17 at Stade de Port Gentil before facing the Pharaohs four days later at the same venue. Uganda will then take on Mali at Stade d’Oyem on January 25.
By Ronnie Mayanja
