The Uganda Cranes had a pool of talented players the last time they played against South Africa in the qualifiers of a major tournament.
However, they have all retired with the exception of Geoffrey Sserunkuma who is currently playing for NEC in the Uganda Premier League.
It’s close to 20 years since Uganda visited the Bafana Bafana in March 2005 and Sserunkuma’s ability to remain active to date is incredible.
“I’m grateful to God who has kept me playing for this long and also I credit myself for the shift I put in as far as training is concerned,” Sserunkuma said in an interview with NBS Sport.
“When you train well your muscles remain as flexible and I still feel fit and willing to go but when time comes and I can’t continue I will retire.”
The Cranes lost 1-0 in the first leg of this 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole in October 2004 courtesy of Ben McCarthy’s goal from the penalty spot.
“Coach Mohammed Abbas dropped me during training ahead of this game and I had to leave the camp,” Sserunkuma noted.
“I remember Robert Ssentongo and Yuda Mugalu were performing very well in the league and the coach decided to use Sentongo dropping Hassan Mubiru to the bench.”
Abbas summoned Sserunkuma for the second leg in South Africa and forward started upfront as the Cranes lost 2-1 at FNB Stadium which is recently called Soccer City Stadium.
Quinton Fortune and Steven Pienaar scored for Bafana Bafana while David Obua netted for the Pearl of Africa. Fortune and Obua goals were from 12 yards.
“I had a big moment in that game because I remember receiving a through ball and faced the goalkeeper one on one before he fouled me in the box.”
“Obua stepped up and equalized before Pienaar scored for South Africa to win the game,” Sserunkuma remembered.
The Uganda Cranes are in South Africa yet again to battle Bafana Bafana in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Orlando Stadium on Friday, September 6.
