Former Uganda Cranes assistant coach Kefa Kisala has spoken glowingly about the return of Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic as Uganda Cranes coach.
Federation of Uganda Football Association announced the re-appointment of the Serbian on 27th July 2021.
The well travelled coach, who left Uganda in 2017, was handed a three-year renewable contract effective 1st August, 2021.
And Kefa Kisala who worked in the capacity of assistant coach under Micho in 2013 has spoken in glowing terms about the Serb’s return.
“Micho’s return isn’t bad because he made us to return to AFCON after 39 years,” the former UPDF FC coach Kisala stated.
After breaking the 38 year jinx, Micho took Uganda back to AFCON a feat that is regarded as the biggest achievement for the Serbian.
However despite the success, he left Uganda to join Orlando Pirates in July 2017, citing unpaid arrears of about Sh230M.
Kisala says that leaving Micho leave in 2017 was a big mistake.
“So what we did wrong is leaving him to go because in Ugandan football we don’t lay plans, If at all we had a ten year plan we would have been with Micho and will be with continuity,” he adds.
In the past years Micho has managed a couple of teams on the African continent for almost 20 years. Quick to start with was his first managerial job at SC Villa here in Uganda where he had a lot of success. He helped the Jogoos to three straight league titles between 2001 and 2004.
He later left for St George in Ethiopia and had stints at Orlando Pirates, Young Africans, Al Hilal and Rwanda.
With all the above mentioned, he looks to be well versed with African players.
However, retuning to Uganda after a couple of years ever since he left in 2017, he finds a host of new faces in the National team set up.
“Micho knows Africa very well and he knows African players and what they want. The only disadvantage is he had players, he had seen because he started with Villa, left Uganda then when he came back he found the same players he had groomed like Andy Mwesigwa, Denis Onyango, Emmanuel Okwi. So these players are no longer there, Okwi has almost reached his peak.
There will be some challenges because he is joining a new side and new faces.”
The former UPDF Coach also adds on that Micho now needs time to rebuild again if Uganda is to be dragged out of mediocrity.
“But it’s good he is back the good thing he left success but the challenge is he comes back in new faces, he has to rebuild again. He is a good coach but he needs time. I pray he manages it well and prospers to take Uganda to the next level.”
According to a statement from the Federation, Micho was given green light to name his back room and it remains to be seen if he will retain Abdallah Mubiru, Livingston Mbabazi and Fred Kajoba as his assistants.
In his first two year’s contract, Kisala was his assistant. And now with the former Wakiso Giants coach jobless, he is ready to take on the role if chance comes his way.
“Ofcourse being a servant of football you can’t say, and with Micho the relationship is still good so if calls on I will be ready because he is a good guy.”
The gaffer comes at a time as Uganda is set to start preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
However, he has his work cut out as he finds a new look Cranes team with new young faces.
