He stays in Bukoto.
2. Paul Ssali (Simba): He was the first choice goalkeeper in Ghana. Just a year after his return, he was arrested and imprisoned at Luzira for belonging to the army side.
He was released in 1981 and joined KCC and returned to Uganda Cranes in 1982. He retired in 1988 and coached teams like KCC, Posta and She Kobs. He is currently a Fufa delegate and stays at Bunamwaya.
3. Polly Ouma (Simba): He was the oldest player in the team. After Afcon, he returned to Simba but crossed to Kenya after the 1979 war. He returned to Uganda in 1985 and was appointed SC Villa coach. He later coached KCC, Bell, Nile and Express and led The Cranes to three Cecafa titles. He was Fufa vice chairman under Obua (1998 to 2004) and currently he stays in Kitintale.
4. Jamil Kasirye (KCC): He was the second goalkeeping choice and didn’t feature in any game in Ghana. In 1981, he left KCC and moved to SC Villa where he captained the club to the unbeaten 1982 league season. He was dropped as Cranes keeper in 1984 and retired shortly afterwards.
He coached the likes of Hodari, UEB, Lake Katwe and UEB among others. He is currently in a bad shape and in need of financial assistance to rehabilitate a nagging knee injury. He stays in Wabinyonyi, Namataba in Mukono.
5. Moses Sentamu (KCC): He was the youngest player in the 1978 squad. The forward didn’t feature in any game in Ghana and a knee injury cut short his Cranes position. He remained on and off at KCC until 1985 when he retired from football. He became a businessman and currently stays in Kabowa, Lubaga.
6. Barnabas Mwesiga (Nsambya): He started one game at Afcon. Upon return Mwesiga moved to Kilembe FC but later joined his home side Mbarara United and retired in 1983. In 1985, he was appointed Uganda Cranes coach until 1988. He then handled clubs like Dairy FC, Coffee and KCC. He is currently the director of Sports Outreach ministry (a Christian NGO) dealing with youth in sports.
7. Abbey Nasur (Maroons): The forward featured in all games in Ghana, scoring a penalty in the 2-1 semifinal win over Nigeria. A year after his return, he crossed to Kenya and joined Kenya’ Gor Mahia. After more than 20 years, he returned to Uganda and tried coaching with Maji, and later KCC, before returning to his home Naguru slum. He moves in difficulty.
8. Ashe Mukasa (KCC): The left back did not see much action in Ghana. Upon return, he retired. When his former club, Express FC, was ‘resurrected’ in 1979, he bounced back but the following year, he retired again and assumed executive positions in the club until 1997. He also served as Uganda Cranes assistant team manager for seven years. He is a businessman in Kampala and lives in Buganga, Makindye.
9. Jimmy Muguwa (UCB): He didn’t feature in any of the games in Ghana. Afterwards, he moved to Express in 1982. In 1995, he was appointed Express coach and guided club to the 1995 double. He has been a recognizable figure in football but of late he is in a deep health and financial crisis.
10. Mike Diku (Maroons): He didn’t feature in any game in Ghana. Upon return, he joined Nile FC until he quit football in 1985. He later relocated to his native Arua district and turned into a farmer.
11. Hussein Matovu (KCC): He was an unused substitute. After Ghana, Matovu had a stint in United Arab Emirates. He returned to Uganda became a businessman but later settled in Kasese where he continues to operate his businesses.
12. Jaberi Bidandi Ssali (team manager): After Afcon, Bidandi joined politics before he quit in 2011. He lives in Nsimbiziwome, Bukoto.
13. Dr Timothy Mutesasira (Team Physician): Upon return he served in different positions at KCC, including club secretary as well as team manager. He joined politics and became MP for Busiiro East. He stays at Kisigula in Wakiso district .
14. Gerald Sendaula (Fufa vice chairman): He led the team to Ghana. He returned and served as Fufa boss following the exiling of Maj Mohammad Seruwagi in 1979. He later joined politics and served in several cabinet positions before retired to his farm in Rakai.
bzziwa@observer.ug
