Onduparaka FC duo Muhammad Shaban and lanky defender Toha Rashid have returned to Uganda after about a week of trials with South African side, SuperSport United in Pretoria.
The two caterpillars had departed Uganda for trials with South African outfit SuperSport united, according to direct sources from Pretoria, the trendsetters’ technical team were impressed with the duo but wanted to loan the young boys to the second division side Stellenbosch as they mature and get acclimatized, something both Toha and Shaban refuted.
“Much as I appreciate the opportunity, I can’t play in the second division at this stage in my career, it will slim my chances of getting into the national team, Stellenbosch a very good team but it is in Cape town and life there is very difficult for a first timer. It would be very complex for me to settle there to be honest. I am very grateful for the opportunity and i can never trade that experience for anything else. I know Onduparaka is the right place for me to develop and I am back to fight like never before”, said Rashid Toha.
Meanwhile skinny giant Muhammad shaban never felt any different from his long serving teammate Rashid and commits his future to the green army.
“I still have alot of work to do to develop, it would be a disservice to Stellenbosch though Supersport united assigned a technical team to monitor our progress. I am grateful for the opportunity however, I have decided to stay with Onduparaka where we have a very good coach who can develop me into a proffessional player. I am ready to play Azam premier league with my current club and fight for the golden boot”, he stated.
Onduparaka Manager Livingstone Mbabazi says it’s not the end of the road as he welcomes back his two guns.
“It took me eight years to play professional football in Europe, I played in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Egypt, Argentina and Ivory coast, I had to be patient, I returned to playing for KCCA before I finally moved to Europe, these boys are still young, they have plenty of chances, am happy to have them back, they will make us more stronger this season,” said Livingstone Mbabazi.
The boys however seem to have had alot of learning as they won’t praising their hosts for the experience. They both hope for more oppprtunities in the future.
Both shaban and Toha Rashid will join their teammates tomorrow (Monday) morning for training as preparation for next Azam premier league continues.