On Monday, January 20th, KCCA Football Club Legends and club administrators visited Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, affectionately known as “MISTER,” to honor his invaluable contributions to KCCA and Ugandan football.
The delegation, that included Uganda Cranes Assistant Manager Sam Ssimbwa presented Bidandi Ssali with the club’s 2024/25 home jersey, a jersey signed by KCCA legends and an award commemorating his immense impact.
Bidandi Ssali was instrumental in the early success of KCCA, serving as head coach from 1966 to 1979.
During his tenure, he transformed the club from a fledgling team into a regional powerhouse.
Under his leadership, KCC FC, as it was then known, gained promotion from the third division in 1966. The club also won the prestigious CECAFA Cup in 1978, asserting its dominance in East African football.
Bidandi’s visionary coaching laid the foundation for the club’s sustained success, setting the stage for KCCA’s evolution into one of Uganda’s top football teams.
Speaking to NBS Sport about the visit, KCCA Public Relations Officer Moses Magero highlighted the significance of honoring legends like Bidandi Ssali.
“Visiting Living Legend Bidandi Ssali is a gesture from the club and its legends to show gratitude and respect to one of the founding members of the football club. Mister coached, managed the club, and supported it financially and beyond,” Magero stated.
“The visit was to show thanks to him, just like the club has been doing for its other legends over the years,” he added.
Regarding the relationship between the club and its legends Moses Magero said that the bond keeps getting better each year.
“We have a platform with our legends where coordination of such activities is done to enable us to monitor where they are and what they are up to and see how they can be supported. The club will keep engaging its legends for counsel, and more,” he said.
The meeting concluded with a meet-and-greet session, allowing the legends to exchange stories of the club’s formative years and celebrate the profound impact of a man whose vision and dedication shaped KCCA’s identity.
