David Obua: Uganda must choose local coach to replace Micho

Former Uganda Cranes striker David Obua has advised the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) to appoint a local coach when they come to choosing the replacement for the departed Milutin Sredojevic.

The Serbian coach guided the team to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, ending Uganda’s 38-year absence from the continental high table, but announced on Saturday that he had terminated his contract with Uganda due to the federation’s failure to honour his contract.

“I advise the Uganda FA not to press panic buttons and run to employ another foreign coach,” Obua told KweséESPN, “because Sredojevic has laid a good foundation and our coaches can take over.

“This is the best timing for [one of] our local coaches to take over to take the national team.”

Obua, who is looking to take his first steps into coaching after attending courses in Scotland, argued that the arrival of foreign coaches can often be to the detriment of the continent’s national sides.

“They come to Africa and it takes them some time to understand the players and yet the local coaches know these players well,” he added, “but the federations simply think the foreign coaches are the gods of coaching.

“The FA should make sure they give a local coach the same amount of money Sredojevic has been getting and clearly spell out what they expect in return.

“KCCA FC’s Mike Mutebi, who guided the team to the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup and won a double in Uganda, is one of the coaches I believe can handle the team,” he added.

Moses Basena and goalkeeper coach Fred Kajoba are expected to take charge of the national team in an interim capacity as the FA search for Sredojevic’s replacement, with the duo set to face Egypt in back-to-back World Cup qualifiers in August and September.

Uganda have not had a local coach since 2004, when Mike Mutebi was replaced by Egyptian Muhammed Abbas, with seven of the last nine national team bosses being foreigners.

ESPN FC