)
Unfortunately for Mayanja, the media is trained to ask questions and verify information before relaying it to the public.
Jackson Mayanja has been very categorical about his intentions at KCCA FC since taking over from Morley Byekwaso on April 19.
To win the Startimes Uganda Premier League. Mayanja has put that before whoever cares to give him an ear.
And a 4-1 win to start his interim stint gave the context of his claim, with several players getting out of their shells to perform to expectations.
Players like Moses Waiswa and Allan Okello have looked liberated under Mayanja and have been in top form since despite two unwanted results in recent games.
Two wins, a draw and a defeat are pretty good results for a team that was struggling to create and put away chances under Byekwaso.
)
20:31 - 05.05.2023
FOOTBALL Sour loser Jackson Mayanja walks out on sports journalists, calls out centre referee Mashood Ssali after Vipers loss
Jackson Mayanja’s post-match press conference after KCCA FC’s 1-0 loss to Vipers SC in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League was one for the books.
But the manner in which points were dropped against Onduparaka and Vipers will raise concerns about Mayanja’s ambitions and abilities.
Leading 2-0 against Onduparaka and in front of the home crowd, KCCA capitulated to squander the lead and draw 2-2.
The fans were stunned after Emmanuel Okech’s late goals helped Onduparaka return to Arua with a point out of nowhere.
But questions have to be asked about some decisions, and coaches should be able to explain like they understand the game a lot more than the people asking.
Questions were asked about the withdrawal of Saidi Mayanja, who was bossing the midfield, and Allan Okello, who was hooked immediately after celebrating his goal.
It was the same case in Mayanja’s first game against Villa when he took off centreback Geoffrey Wasswa, accusing him of losing possession which led to Charles Bbale’s goal.
Of course, coaches reserve the right to these decisions and might not be questioned when the team goes on to achieve the desired result.
But when things do not work out, mistakes must be admitted and further explained to the press, who, in this case, are the eyes and ears of the public.
Mayanja, one of the greatest players of his generation, lost his first game as KCCA manager in a highly billed affair against Vipers at St. Mary’s Kitende on Friday night.
He did not only lose the game but also his cool. He walked out on the press after struggling to explain himself when tasked to throw more light on his rants directed towards the day’s centre referee Mashood Ssali.
In the same game, Mayanja took off his best offensive asset, Allan Okello, to invite Vipers pressure; he found it wise to blame the referee for incidents he was unwilling to disclose to the media.
Milton Karisa scored a beauty of a goal to decide the contest, but Mayanja left Kitende convinced it was the referee that had cost his team the game.
Tasked to elaborate further and point out what disappointed him the most about the day’s officiating, Mia Mia fumed and walked out of the press room, asking whether the journalists had watched the same game as the rest of the world.
Unfortunately for Mayanja, the media is trained to ask questions and verify information before relaying it to the public.
Choosing to lose your cool without outlining your concerns before the press defeats the purpose of your availability for media duties.
Back to the game, there were shouts for a penalty by KCCA when Rogers Mato seemed to have been brought down in the box by Hillary Mukundane, but the referee waved play on. That is probably one of the areas Mayanja was disappointed with.
Vipers themselves thought they should have had a penalty when Wasswa brought down Abubaker Lawal, but again, the ref waved play on.
The ref further restrained himself from sending off defender Mustafa Mujuzi who obstructed Martin Kizza while on a yellow card.
There was a sending-off for both sides, with Vipers goalkeeping coach Ibrahim Mugisha given marching orders after an altercation during the game and Tshisungu Kankonde for physically attacking the ref after the full-time whistle.
There might have been flows by the referee in the game, but there was nothing to warrant Mayanja’s behaviour.
And if the ref makes any mistakes, it is because he is only human. Many will argue that Mayanja’s substitutions and in-game management have been huge mistakes themselves; should he be crucified for that as well?
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)