Football striker Robert Ssentongo and his fan Jacob discuss football. PHOTO BY ISAAC SSEJJOMBWE
Uganda Cranes superstar and Ethiopian club St George striker, Robert Ssentongo, meets his fan and longtime admirer Jacob Mudasi in Kampala and the two catch up on their greatest sport —football.
Hi Ssentongo. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’ve been waiting for this great opportunity.
It’s nice meeting you too. How are you?
I’m fine thank you. When did you join football and why it of all games?
I started playing football at a very tender age but I’m also talented at other games. I’m a true sportsman as they say but people only identify me in football. Football because my father [Phillip Mukasa] was a footballer so I grew up wanting to be like him.
Where is your birth place?
I was born in Kilinya, Bweyogerere.
Please tell me about your football journey?
I started at Simba Football Club in 2002 up to 2004, then joined SC Villa till 2006 though I had short spells at Simba FC in Tanzania and AGF in Denmark in 2005. I rested for one year then joined KCC FC, went back to Denmark for one season with Tony Odur then rejoined KCC the following season, helping them win their first trophy in a very long time. In 2009, when I was signed on by Africa Leone Tanzania. They loaned me to Simba for three months then I joined URA in 2011. I joined my current club St George (Ethiopia) in 2012.
How much do you earn at St George?
I earn $3,500 (Shs9m) per month without bonuses and endorsements.
How old are you?
I’m 24 years old.
Which European team do you support?
I’m a football fan who will support any team that plays well but Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are some of my best.
Which role do you play both at club level and the National team and why that role?
I’m a striker because my father used to play the same position in his playing days.
Which trophies have you won so far?
I have four Cecafas, three Super League trophies and two Kakungulu cups.
How far did you go in school?
I went to St Joseph Bweyogerere for my primary education, Yale High School and St Maria Goretti for my O-Level before finishing my A-Level at Citizens High School. When I was in Denmark, I joined their academy, learning various languages.
What is your say on the Crane’s failure to make it to the Afcon all the time?
My take is that we should at some point go an extra mile, just like other teams do. Angola qualified in the previous campaigns because they paid Kenya players to spoil our chances. South Africa has always done it and many other nations. We the players do everything in our power but lose out on the last minute because something wasn’t done but we shall qualify sometime.
Who are some of your greatest players ever?
I consider Ronaldo Da Lima as the greatest player ever because of his scoring abilities, speed, accuracy and skills. Romario too was good.
In your own perspective, should Mulindwa quit as the Fufa president?
Mulindwa should not quit because he has no problem. What people don’t know is that he injects his own money into Ugandan football unlike previous presidents. Mulindwa loves football but maybe some people in the administration are the ones with a problem.
Lastly Ssentongo, give me your world 11 players?
In goal I have Iker Casillas from Spain, then Dani Alves playing as the right back from Brazil, Patrice Evra at the left, Rafael Varane of Madrid as number four, John Terry as five, Mesut Ozil, Iniesta and Xavi in midfield, Messi and Ronaldo playing seven and eleven respectively, Drogba as the striker.
Thank you so much for your time.
Thank you too for the support Jacob.