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Kirunda: The future is bright for Uganda
- Updated: September 8, 2016
He was the mainstay of Uganda’s ‘golden’ generation of the seventies; he also captained the Cranes at the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations, held in Ghana. An elegant sweeper, Jimmy Kirunda was famed for his outstanding technique and tactical insight. He admired Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer so much that he emulated him in all aspects of the game; from the sweeping position to captaining the national team.
And for all the great things Kirunda did on the pitch, he is best remembered for the late winner against Ethiopia in 1977, a result that sealed Uganda’s berth at the 1978 continental showpiece. The ‘Kaiser,’ as he was fondly known, had an explosive ten-year career at KCC FC, holding down a permanent spot for the City giants those days. His consistency and insatiable appetite for the game was great.
After a satisfactory performance in both leagues, Kirunda got his first taste of national team football with the youth side in the annual Friendly Cup in Ethiopia in 1968. Ahead of the Cranes return leg against Madagascar in Kampala in this weekend’s AFCON first round second leg, Kirunda narrates the way they struggled to make it to the finals and also takes on the encounter.
Cafonline.com: How was the experience of taking Uganda to the final of Africa Cup of Nations in 1978?
Jimmy Kirunda: This is what has kept me a true legend for all these years and believe it can happen soon. We were a great team and played good football, when you want to be a champion you have to win big games. This has been a problem for …
