04 December 2021 | Football

Former Uganda Cranes head coach Csaba László can't trade any experience with the one he had with the national team between 2006 to 2008.

The tactician remembers every single outing as one of a life time with the team and he feels he enjoyed his time in Uganda - a top football loving nation.

Even though during his reign Uganda missed out on qualification for the African Cup of Nations in Ghana 2008, on goal difference, in favour of Sudan, the 57-year old speaks highly of his returns with the outfit.

One landmark achievement that can never be forgotten was Cranes' victory over Nigeria for the first time in history.

Uganda scored two second-half penalty kicks to defeat Nigeria 2-1 in an African Cup of Nations qualifier on 02 June 2007 at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

John Utaka had put the hosts ahead in 25th minute but David Obua equalized from the spot in the 51st following Afolabi Rabin's foul on Geoffrey Massa.

Massa was brought down again by goalkeeper Austine Ejide in the 62nd minute, allowing captain Ibrahim Sekajja convert another penalty.

Even though Cranes were reduced to 10 men when midfielder Noah Kasule was sent off for a second yellow card after he handled the ball, they held on to register a very famous win.

Talking up the memories with World Football Index's Callum MacFadden, Csaba remembers a "football-crazy" and "incredibly friendly" country.

“I took the country from 181st in the world rankings to 91st," he said. "We beat countries such as Nigeria and Angola for the first time in Uganda’s footballing history and we just missed out on qualification for the African cup of nations.

“It was such a unique experience. Uganda is a football-crazy country. The continent of Africa has many football-mad countries and I think that’s underplayed as most of the world’s media focus on European football. There is a lot of quality throughout various leagues in Africa too.

“Football is the number one sport in many countries. Living in Africa was something that I absolutely loved. The people were incredibly friendly and I admired their attitude and dedication to football and their country.

“I stayed in Uganda for my period in charge of the nation. I was offered the opportunity to stay in a hotel but I refused. I wanted to live like the people of Uganda so I bought a normal house and fully integrated myself into the job and into society.

“I wanted the people to see me as an equal rather than the stereotypical white man arriving to coach in Africa because he knows more than you.

“That’s why fully integrating myself into the culture was important to me. It was a privilege to manage the nation and try to make the Ugandan people proud of their team.

“Many of our players played outwith Uganda and the quality of player was very good. We had top players in David Obua and Ibrahim Sekagya to name just two.

“I made many fantastic memories during my time there. All I wanted to do was help the players to improve and progress and we did that as a team during my two and half years in charge.”

Since his tenure in Uganda, Csaba has managed Scottish Premier League side Heart of Midlothian, MTK Budapest, Slovak Super Liga team Dunajská Streda, Dundee United, Romanian club Sepsi OSK and Indian Super League side Chennaiyin FC.

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