Ssimbwa: God saved me from Mbalangu’s basement

Sam Ssimbwa could finally breathe a sigh of relief after guiding URA FC to a 1-0 victory over UPDF FC on Tuesday, joking that God had helped him avoid a trip into Mbalangu’s basement.

The experienced coach made a winning return to the Tax Collectors, who had been struggling under Jimmy Kintu Mwera before his sacking, as URA ended a five-match winless run in the Uganda Premier League at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.

“Every day I fear heading into Mbalangu’s basement, but now God helped, I didn’t enter it,” Ssimbwa said after the match.

It was a light-hearted remark, but the relief behind it was understandable. URA had not won since their opening-day 2-1 victory over Maroons at Wankulukuku, and another slip threatened to deepen their troubles.

The Tax Collectors had to work for their points against UPDF, missing several chances before getting the breakthrough in the 62nd minute. Denis Ssekitoleko turned Isma Mugulusi’s cross into his own net while attempting to clear the ball, handing Ssimbwa a winning start in his first game back.

“The match has been good on our side because we won, but it wasn’t easy because, like you saw, we missed a lot of chances,” he said.

“When you miss a lot of chances, the opponent catches you on the break and scores, takes a draw or even wins. But we have won.”

Sam Ssimbwa | Credit: John Batanudde

Despite the narrow victory, Ssimbwa was encouraged by what he saw from a team he had spent only two days working with before the match.

His immediate task was to improve the players’ character, get them thinking about their purpose and make a few changes to the way they approach games.

“In the two days I have spent with these boys, I have been talking to them and building the character of the team. I have changed a few things, but the boys have also seen the difference,” he said.

Ssimbwa also wanted to understand what his players hoped to achieve this season. Their response was ambitious, with most saying they wanted to win the league title.

“I asked them before we started what their initial goal was, and most of them replied winning the trophy,” he said.

But the coach was quick to remind them that such ambitions must be backed by results, especially when the team is struggling near the bottom of the table.

“I asked them if they can win the trophy while in relegation,” he added.

Sam Ssimbwa gives instructions to his players | Credit: John Batanudde

One of the changes was a shift in how URA used possession. Ssimbwa felt the team had been spending too much time passing the ball around in its own half instead of taking the game to opponents.

Against UPDF, he wanted to see more of the ball in the opposition’s half, with the players looking to create chances rather than simply maintain possession.

“We also had to change the style of football we play. Previously, we have overly possessed the ball in our own half, but today we have done that in the opponent’s half and have managed to create lots of chances,” he said.

Although URA failed to make the most of several opportunities, the coach believes the performance gives them something to build on as they look to climb the table.

“This win is very important, not only to me but the whole team. I think it will help us have something to build on as we start winning games because I know we are going to win lots of matches if we are well prepared,” Ssimbwa said.

There is, however, still work to do, particularly in improving the team’s fitness and endurance.

Ssimbwa admitted that UPDF appeared stronger in that department, but believes his players can improve with time and proper preparation.

“What I have seen is that UPDF had better endurance than us, and the problem with that is you can’t get it in one day. But with time, we shall build and do well,” he said.

The victory lifted URA from 15th to 14th place with seven points, level with Express FC, giving the team some breathing space after a difficult start to the campaign.

Ssimbwa will now turn his attention to a tougher test when URA host Vipers, coached by John Luyinda, at Hamz Stadium on October 31.

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