June 10, 1999

By Hassan Badru Zziwa

Kampala - Cash strapped FUFA has given up on Ghanaian coach Sammy Oodoo for the Cranes job. Instead the federation has opted for negotiations to get a German coach.

Yesterday FUFA president Denis Obua told The Monitor that they had wanted to recruit the Ghanaian, but his terms are not viable for the cash-strapped local association.

He said that Oodoo had asked for about Shs10m per month which FUFA would find difficult to meet. According to Obua, the former Ghana Black Stars player who was in the side which played against Cranes in the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations final, had asked for US$6,000 plus accommodation and transport which would take the figure to Shs 10m every month.

"We shall only recruit coaches whom we can afford," Obua said.

Obua was also bitter with those who criticised him for signing Bukhard Pape as technical director instead of going for 'super coaches'.

"I will sign Alex Furguson of Manchester United if people are ready to give me money," charged Obua.

He explained that it doesn't make sense for FUFA to pay one coach Shs 10m. "I will instead have a cheaper coach and facilitate our local coaches," he said.

He said that he is convinced that Pape will deliver and he has accepted to work with Paul Hasule. "We are going to improve Hasule's package. He will stay with the national team and Pape is ready to work with him.

"I told people Hasule is the best coach around and they didn't take me seriously. Didn't he deliver last Saturday?" he asked.

Hasule, also coach of club side SC Villa, had a strong opposition from a section of soccer fans and administrators who had wanted him to resign like the former head coach Asuman Lubowa after the 2-0 loss Cranes suffered at the hands of Tunisia on April 10.

However, the former Cranes skipper stuck to his guns and took the new FUFA assignment as head coach. His first competitive match was the Saturday tie where Cranes licked Liberia 1-0 to jump to second spot in the group 7 Nations Cup qualifying action.

FUFA General Secretary Godfrey Kisekka said the federation will continue to exploit ways which are cheaper.

He said FUFA will continue to negotiate with the German Cultural Exchange officials to get a coach for whom they will only pay for accommodation and transport.