Nakiwala had given the coach some ultimatums which included winning three of their last four games, he drew instead
The embrace of influence peddling in Ugandan football has led to shifting dynamics in many clubs, with the coaches no longer considered the primary decision maker on all matters concerning the 11 players who play for him. Instead, he is increasingly regarded as a steward whose job is to carry out upper management’s vision, which is dictated by gut feelings rather than data.
But the Express FC most recent interim coach Wasswa Charles Bbosa is alive but not well after his winless streak reached five games in a 1-all draw with URA at Wankulukuku and was forced to resigned on Tuesday, days after his often contentious relationship with new club chairperson deteriorated into one that was apparently beyond repair.
Uganda Youth and Children Affairs minister Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi the new Express chairperson expressed frustration in a series of meetings last month about the coaching staff’s failure to win games or relay the right attitude and information to the players. A source said that coach Bbosa had responded angrily to Nakiwala and that first assistant Hassan Mubiru had offered a pointed rebuttal to her.
By the turn of October, Ms. Nakiwala put Wasswa Bbosa who been part of the club since the 2011/2012 season season under a firing notice. Yesterday, the club confirmed the developments on their social media pages claiming it was on mutual consent and promised to institute changes soon.
“This is my last game. I told the players last night. I cannot keep working with a club administration intent on failing their team,” a teary-eyed Bbosa told journalists after his last game at Wakulukuku that left Express in 7th on the log with 15 points, an enormous 13 behind league leaders KCCA. “There are lots of things that I can’t mention. But all I can say is there is a problem I couldn’t withstand so I had to leave.”
Bbosa was on the defensive when he met with members of the news media before and after the game. He said he did not consider his relationship with Ms. Nakiwala unworkable and said the portrayal of their relationship as old school versus new school was “naïve” and “fiction.”
“I kind of laugh because — not that I’ve done anything special — but there’s no way in the world that you’re going to stay in this position without evolving,” said Bbosa, who admitted to being stung by the leak of the story.
He added: “I understand what the role of a coach is in a football club like Express. I’m hardheaded; I have opinions; I give my opinions.”
Express’ main problem and Wasswa Bbosa’s strongest point in recent seasons had been meagre sources of revenue and Nakiwala – a confessed Red Eagles card carrying fan – got a quick remedy for this – a full year’s sponsorship deal from DSTV worth shs.305 million.
Needed no more, Bbosa had to leave with his whole backroom staff. Current Soana coach Sam Ssimbwa, who coached the Red Eagles in 2007 and 2011-2012 is set for a return after agreeing terms with the Wankulukuku side.
