Uganda Cranes & Azam Star Wadada Hints on International Retirement.

• Am thinking of retiring from international football this year- Wadada.
• After Murushid Juuko, Wadada at 27 years is thinking of retirement.
• Wadada set to return for Azam early March from Injury 
• Vipers is home for me and I can’t rule out a return to St Mary’s one day- Wadada.

Uganda Cranes star Nicholas Wakiro Wadada playing his professional football at Azam in the Tanzania Premier league, has hinted on International football retirement while speaking to Sports256 in an exclusive interview.

Just weeks after Express FC central defender Murushid Juuko decided to hang his international boots at 27, it’s not good news that the 27 year old defender who was part of the squad that represented Uganda in the Gabon and Egypt AFCON is also thinking in the same line.

The right back was a key figure in the Cranes squad at both Gabon and Egypt AFCON Finals but has not been part of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers campaign.

It’s always the coach that time who determines and decides who plays for the national team and when, and I have always taken the opportunity with open arms when called to represent my country and I give in my best.

 

And just like players come and go am as well, thinking of retiring from international football this year probably create space for the young Stars, only that I have to debate it with a few people before I make the official announcement.Wadada stressed.

It’s good news for Azam that one of their key players is soon returning from a two months injury, but not good news for many Ugandan football fans to hear that one of the country’s best defenders is thinking of retiring as early as this.

The roving right back has been sidelined since January 10th and he is is recovering steadly.

Wadada was injured in the Mapinduzi Cup quarter final game, and missed the Semi final and the final they lost to Simba SC.

 Am happy that am recovering well, have been missing the pitch, I thank the doctors and management for the work and players for the support. I cant wait to go again. Wadada told Sports256.

Before graduating to the Senior National team, he went through all the national team junior ranks! Cubs- U17, Hippos-U20 and Kobs- U23 .

Wadada also highlighted on Barcelona Star Dani Alves as his role model as a right back and pointed at Vipers’ young star Emmanuel Munoobi and Mbarara City’s Tom Kakaire as some of the young stars he has inspired to play the game.

Before moving for greaner pastures in the Tanzanian premier league, he had spent seven years with the Kitende based club.

He won the League, Super Cup, Uganda Cup as Vipers captain before making a move to Azam.

He didnot hide his love for Vipers Sports Club a place he calls home.

Vipers is home for me, i grew up there as i kid, I was captain, won trophies there l, they loved me there and i think i still command respect there. No body knows tommorow, you never know i might return there before officially hanging the boots.

 

 Am happy have only played for two clubs, in Uganda & Tanzania but what has made me achieve and do what i have managed to do so far is, am always focused and I respect my job. He added.

Wadada is one of the few Ugandan footballers that have used their football money to make investments worth hundred(s) of Millions (UGX).

He has invested in farming, poutry and animal farms in Bulumbu- Bubebbele after Nakawuka on which he has employed some fellow footballers.

Wadada also pointed the average/poor living standards of former Ex-intetnationals has also driven him to work hard and make some investments.

We have always looked on some Ex internationals and former footballers that came before us that are not doing well, struggling to live, for us to fight so hard to do some investment so that we are not like them after retirement. And it doesn’t matter where you play in Europe, Asia or Africa but the most important thing is money & how you use it not to struggle in the future after playing. He stated.

He as well, hinted on the Nicholas Wadada Foundation speaking to Sports256, a project he thinks will help the young generation.

We have i dentified some raw talents with my friend Henry Kawuma that we believe if helped and handled well can be the next Wadadas, we want to use the small resources we have get partners start a a foundation to help the young talents. Kawuma has already started the work with an academy, i gave him starting equipment like balls for the start but we want to make it bigger.

Kawuma who now manages Wadada’s farms, is a long term friend who offered him a hand and brought him( Wadada) to Kawuku when they were both students at Kitende.

Wadada was a S4 student and Kawuma was in S.3, Kawuma was Wadada’s first friend at Kitende and he welcomed him to Kawuku from Lugazi.

They had trials and passed togather at Kitende and Wadada up to know cannot forget Kawuma’s effort when he was signed at Vipers.

I remember after signing for Vipers i was staying in Lugazi, but Kawuma told me you shouldnt go back to Lugazi transport will be too much for, you should come at we stay togather until you will get a room to rent, and my first room i rented in Kawuku was at UGX 50.000 in 2010 and he gave me the first mattress i slept on so he is a brother to me.

Kawuma’s football career was cut short by injuries after playing for St Mary’s Kitende, Aurum Roses and Nkumba University.

Asked why Ugandans we have failed to make it to European leagues like West Africans, Wadada believes Ugandans are more talented than many African countries more so West Africans but the location.

 I feel we are more talented than many African players because we play with them at Club and against them but West africans are so lucky they are near Europe and they can easily make moves to the best facilities there which is not the case for us Ugandans.

 

Most of those West Africans, North Africans, when kids want to play the game, their families easily send them to European academies, but here, you want to play the game, but your family is not suppotive and they want to send you into other things, which is a big a challenge.”

 

So i want to encourage parents to support their kids that want to play football, i remember my parents also used to refuse me to play football and used to force me to class. but surprisingly am earning and i have achieved alot from the game.

Wadada is one kind of player that supports his parents so much, surprised his mum with a house, rental houses in Lugazi something his brothers and sisters that are University graduates are yet to do.

Wadada is one player that is so supportive to  his family; brothers and sisters in many ways more so financially from the game.

Wadada who was earlier this season joined by International teammate Mathias Kigonya at Azam earned his first national team call under Bobby Williamson.

Asked about his love for the number 14 shirt he has donned at St Mary’s Kitende, Vipers, Azam and Uganda Cranes, he had this to say;

When i was leaving School to join Vipers in 2010, i was inspired by Julius Mulindwa who was donning the number and was playing the position. He told me am giving you this number you should give you best for it from today on words you should wear it. And when i was summoned to the Cranes, still Andrew Mwesigwa was wearing the number and he handed it over to me so it became a norm to me. And when Azam came knocking the no 14 shirt was one of the things i wanted before signing.

Four years at Azam now, joined them in August 2018 from Vipers on a two year deal and renewed his contract in 2019 for more two years and his current contract expires this year in June 2022.