Uganda Cranes’ historic 4-0 win against visiting Congo Brazzaville at Namboole stadium last Saturday, has continued to generate excitement across the country including Teso sub region.
In parts of Teso, it has remained common to find people excitedly chatting in groups about the win and notably about the contribution of one of the goal scorers, Emmanuel Okwi who hails from the area.
Sam Aojon, a teacher at Olila High school near Soroti town, said the victory and particularly Okwi’s contribution generated a very good feeling among the people of Teso, majority of whom he said watched the game on television. He said he looks forward to seeing Uganda taking part in the Africa Cup of Nations, as well as the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
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Uganda, however, has one more round to negotiate before featuring at the Nations Cup for the first time since 1978. For the World Cup, the Cranes are currently in the first of the three phases they have feature in before qualifying.
Anoo Santina, the Soroti Municipal Education Officer, says she still remembers when Okwi played for Soroti United, Amuria Cranes and Ngora Rock Stars before being signed by bigger clubs in the Super League, where he perfected his skills that earned him a place in the national team line up.
Nelson Odeke, the Chairman of Soroti District Football Association, said the region is overjoyed by the feat that the national team achieved on Saturday. He also hailed the contribution by 26 year old Okwi and the national coach, Bobby Williamson for ensuring that he included players with talent from all regions.
Odeke claimed that past football administrators in the country have been practicing segregation in selecting the national team players. Referring to the mix of players from the different regions on the national team as katogo, a common dish comprising of variety of foods, Odeke said inclusion of talent from every corner of the country is the best option for the country’s campaign in international sports.
He described Okwi’s goal as the best, the scorer having dodged at least four players including the goalkeeper to net Uganda’s fourth goal.
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Odeke, who has been heading the Soroti district football association over the last two years, said they are hopeful of soon fielding a team in the Super League. Teso sub region has never succeeded in fielding a team in the Super League, Uganda’s top flight football competition.
He hailed the creation of North Eastern region that comprises of Karamoja and Teso sub regions as a step towards ending years of unsuccessful attempts to send a team to the national level of football competition.
