Light Soccer Academy (Entebbe Pride) Zonal Mini- league Fixtures
- Light SA/Entebbe Pride Vs Kinomando -Monday 12/06/2023 @3pm
- Kabutemba FC Vs Light Sa/Entebbe Pride FC- Wednesday 14/06/2023 @3pm
- Nakitembe FC Vs Light SA /Ebb Pride Vs Nakitembe FC- Friday 16th/06/2023 @3pm
Former Uganda Cranes Captain Dennis Masinde Onyango, along with other Ex-Internationals and now coaches; Simon Masaba and Edward Ssali Bayano, paid a two day working visit to Wakiso District 4th tier club light SA (Entebbe Pride).
Mamelodi Sundowns goal keeper Onyango and the two top Ugandan coaches, were invited by club top management to share knowledge, skills and experience with the future stars as preparations intensified at Katabi Gombolola grounds ahead of kick of the zonal mini-league play-offs in Mityana.
Wakiso district champions -Entebbe Pride favorites to win this year’s Zonal playoffs, having lost in the final last year, are seeded in group E, along with Kikomando FC, Kabutemba FC and Nakitembe FC.
Pride that missed by inches to join the Ugandan football 3rd tier league – Buganda regional league, will face Kikomando FC in their opening game on Monday.
During the first day (Tuesday) of the program, among the activities that were done, was a class room session which included inspirational, motivational and encouraging speeches by all the three Ex Internationals.
Team head coach Kabiito, was greatful to the Ex-internationals for the their time off there very busy schedules given to his team.
” The truth is, there is alot of joy in our camp having some of these Uganda Cranes legends like Onyango, Masaba and Ssali. We very well know that their coming here is going to help us alot, boast players’ morale as we prepare for the zonal mini league. The training they have given the boys for days, the motivation words, we are sure are very important so they will help us alot.” He stated.
” Our target is very clear is to qualify to the next level that’s the regional league. Last year it was the same goal, but we lost the final but this year we believe it’s possible, we have done well so far this season, we are Wakiso district champions and this shows you how we are focused on what we want.” Kabiito told Sport256.
” I would love to thank my bosses; Mr Walter, CEO Bright Martin and the entire executive of Entebbe Pride for their efforts towards bringing these people because it’s not common. To our fans, they have been supportive and we are greatful for their support, they have have been with us and I encourage them to continue even at the Zonal because I believe we are going to qualify this time.” He concluded.
Onyango, supportive to his colleagues; Coach Masaba and Ssali, appreciated the talent he found around and encouraged the young stars to work, use each and every opportunity if they are too achieve their dreams.
” My main target of coming here was to support coach Ssali because he is the common figure to these boys, and as football people we have to support each other and mostly all my friends are football people; coach Masaba, Ssali, Mugalu are all football people so when they have boys they are helping, it requires me to support in one way or they other because I also started at pitches like these or even worse because me I started in Nsambya which is poor than this, so this inspired the young generation and to also believe that it’s possible to get to another level if you’re dedicated and committed.” Onyango told this site.
” We all know unemployment level in Uganda is high but also want to let every Ugandan young player that we can use the talents we have to solve this, so I also believe it’s my obligation as a former national team player to do such work to inspire the young players to love what they do be it any other job, we learn alot from playing football, for example team work that could help everyone else where.”
” This wasn’t my first time doing this, I used to do it at URA when coach Masaba and Saali were there, have been at BUL and supported him I have gone to Villa and supported the team with balls and I brought our coach to KCCA FC go help them, so it’s in my line to help young players develop.” He added.
Asked about if he had seen some exceptional talents, he stated. ” Everyone is talented as long as you enter the field of play but it’s about the mindset and how they work hard chase your dream. And I told them if a player gets an opportunity they have to use it because that never know a scout could be passing by or a coach and pick him.”
Formerly at Vipers and URA FC Coach Ssali, asserted that, it was the organisation at this club and the love between them and the bosses that brought the trio to assist.
” Associating with this team is because of the love we have with the top management and it is a very organised team. Even when we were still at URA we had a friendly game with this team and we saw alot with this team so we decided that whenever we have time we shall share it with them. We just came here to help try to guide the young stars on their journey. We also believe if these boys can train with people like Onyango , be trained by Coaches like Masaba, it hopes their morale to fight achieve their goals from what they have seen and heard from the big people.”
BUL FC head coach Masaba was impressed by some players and promised to pick some in the near future.
” We have come to this team because of the love and friendship we create d with the club owners and coaches. So we are here to show them the light and try to shade a picture of what lies ahead of these young players, that despite the division they are in now everything is achievable and it’s possible to reach where we did manage to reach or even reach where other have we didn’t manage so we know they needed help from coaches and some of us that have played the game.”
“For the days have been here, I have realised that they have got talent that will help them reach there and also help the country and as a coach i have seen some players that in a short time I may use at
our team.”
Masaba in his conclusive remarks appreciated his Jinja bosses for the trust with the job.
” I would first love to thank the club management for the opportunity they gave me and for my friends and I thank the other coaches that they had worked hard for this team to be here, also want to thank all football fans, especially those of BUL where I work from that we are still one working for a common goal.”
The new club manager Katuga Ivan Musoke, was greatful to the Ex-internationals for the visit and expressed their readiness to compete for promotion in Mityana.
” It is because of our strong connections, that we can organise such programs, we managed to bring these iconic figures in the Ugandan game, so that they can add value to us we make sure go to Mityana to achieve our target as Entebbe Pride. So I want to let our fans know that this time we are going for it. He told Sport256.
The semi-finals of the zonal mini-league will be played on Saturday and the final is set for Sunday 18/06/2023.
All games will be played at Ssingo Saaza Stadium starting at 9am this Sunday.
