Uganda Cranes Coach inisist he will not resign despite loss

By Fred Maingi

Devasted  Uganda Cranes coach Bobby Williamson has insisted that he will not resign despite his team bowing out of the Africa Cup of Nations.

  He said losing 9-8 to defending Champions Zambia was  a bitter blow  to the  entire Uganda Soccer fraternity but said he will soldier on to build Uganda  football and take it to another higher level.

  “Resigning will be the last resort.Losing is part of the game. I do not see a reason to quit. I have a running contract and Ugandans are good to me, the fans are magnificent,” the Scot stated.

      Despite failing to end Uganda’s 34-year wait for a return to the Africa Cup of Nations finals, Williamson insisted that besides Ugandans’ hospitality, he still has a future with the team.

The coach said that he would refocus his energies on continuing to build his young side for the future.

Cranes went down 9-8 to Zambia’s Chipolopolo at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole on Saturday evening in a match that stretched to the spot kicks after a 1-1 aggregate.


With Williamson as head coach, Cranes have missed qualifying for the finals of the continent’s premier football show three times.

Uganda Cranes coach Bobby Williamson was not happy with some of the Caf rules after they were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations competition that will be staged in South Africa.
Williamson was at pains to understand why their tie had to be decided by penalties after Uganda had cancelled out Zambia’s first leg lead. The visitors won 9-8.
“We should have gone into extra-time instead of straight into penalties. We won 1-0 and it’s unfair that a qualification has to be reached through that means.”
“Also, Zambia as the African champions deserves to get automatic qualification in order to defend their title.”

He also blasted Zambian keeper Kennedy Mweene for time wasting
Zambia, who are also the continental champions, advanced to the next edition of the finals due in South Africa next year.