The Sport Club Villa Jogoo club legendary striker was a darling, he was magical and powerful like former Heavy weight boxer, Mike Tyson.
Just like his many of the nick names he won, he was like a magician. He remains among Jogoos’ exceptional and phenomenal players of all times.
The deadly striker served the club with the due passion and diligence for eight solid years earning himself enviable praise home and away.
In fact, Musisi is still idolized by club faithfuls up to-date.
Little wonder therefore, 12 years after his death, Jogoo fans from the vibrant Makerere branch paid homage to his family, where they wined and dined with the members for close to 12 hours.
‘We did this to show respect and honour to the family of the late Majidu Musisi and express our solidarity with them. Musisi was arguably among the greatest Villa players. We plan to print his name on the current club T-shirts and see them to other fans. We shall also continue to visit the families of other club legends’ said Rehema Namuli, one of the fans.
Majidu Musisi was born to Mr. Siraje Katende and Deborah Namutebi on 24th December 1965, died on 13th December 2005 and was laid to rest at his grand father’s cemetery, at Buziga Salaama.
”He (Majidu Musisi) could do all his work very early in the morning to get time to play his ball. He liked his ball than anything to an extent of even sleeping with it in his bed, probably this explains why he even dropped out of school in primary five, though school fees were also a burden to me” Musisi’s mother is quoted.
He is best remembered in the season of 1985 where he scored a brace inside the first four minutes against Express at Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium before hundreds of fans.
In August 1985, when Sports Club Villa Jogoo faced Express FC, had scored two quick goals to the surprise of many fans, majority still struggling to enter the stadium only to be told about the wonder boy – Musisi.
The sharp and energetic striker was also called ‘Tyson’. He started his career with second division side Pepsi Football Club in 1983.
Following two successful seasons, he crossed over to Sports Club Villa Jogoo under the recommendation of head coach, David Otti (RIP) and then club chairman, Patrick Kawooya (RIP).
Given his immense talent, he was the duly deserved league top scorer in 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1992 before he was poached by French Club Stade Rennes.
He attained his elementary education at New Mulago Primary School.
Later, he joined Bashir High School in Wandegeya, quitting years later to concentrate with the football career.
In 1990, Musisi won a third golden boot scoring 28 goals and equaled Issa Ssekatawa’s record.
In 1991, Musisi helped Villa finish runners up in the African Club Championship by scoring important goals.
The unforgettable strike was that diving header against Nigeria’s Iwuanyanwa Nationale in the semi-finals. He also became the first player to score 100 league goals.
In 1992, Musisi netted 29 league goals in only the first round of the league and had he completed the league, he would have broken Jimmy Kirunda’s record of 32 league goals.
Prior to his move to Europe, Musisi scored four times against KCC FC in the 5-0 win.
Amazingly, he walked off the pitch after scoring the 4th. He played half season before moving to Stade Rennes of France for a then record transfer fee of $180,000.
At Rennes, Majid Musisi was a regular presence and scored a number of crucial goals, which prompted Turkish side Bursaspor to sign him in 1997 for a reported $1m.
He founded the now famous Bursaspor crocodile walk goal celebration during the UEFA Intertoto Cup match against German side Karlsruher SC on 2 August 1995.
He later moved to Dardanelspor, another Turkish club before he brought the curtain down on his professional career in 2001. “Dardanelspor still owes him money”, says Nantongo, without disclosing the amount.
Majid Musisi returned to Uganda in 2001 and rejoined SC Villa.
However, it was clear he was over the hill and failed to show the predatory skills of the past. He remained a key player for Uganda, captaining the side on several occasions and the highlight was a hat-trick in 1998 in the 5–0 win over Rwanda.
However, he unceremoniously ended his Cranes career when Harrison Okagbue, the then coach threw him out of camp for breaching the team’s code of conduct in 2000.
In 2002, he joined Vietnamese side Da Nang but returned in 2004 and joined Ggaba United.
Uganda Cranes Journey:
Musisi made his Cranes debut in July 1987 in an olympic qualifier against Mozambique.
Alongside Omondi, they managed a brace apiece in the 4-1 win and later one goal each during 2-0 win the return leg.
He scored a hat trick against Zambia in the CECAFA Cup later that year and also finished the tourney as the top scorer. He was Voted Footballer of the Year. He also helped Uganda win the CECAFA Cup after a 12 year wait in 1989.
He also converted from the spot in the finals against Malawi. Won the golden boot with 4 goals.
In September, 1990, he scored a late winner as Uganda beat DR. Congo in the Nations Cup qualifier.
He also scored in the 2-0 win over Sudan to help the Cranes retain the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup title.
His exploits were recognized as he won the Footballer of the Year accolade.
He hit his third hat trick for the Cranes in 1998 in a 5-0 win over Rwanda.
Rest in Peace Majidu Musisi.
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