Paidha Black Angels is a Big League Club based in Zombo district (which was previously part of Nebbi) which Fufa last week confirmed as Uganda’s representative in the Caf Confederation Cup. This was after KCCA FC won a double of the Azam Premier League and Uganda Cup last season. Matooke Republic had a chat with club chairman Robert Jakony about their preparations.
How ready is your club for continental football?
As a club we are more than ready for the task as we managed to restructure our board. The only big concern at the moment is finances.
So how will you raise the funds? Do you have sponsors?
We badly need funds from all well-wishers. As a club we are playing our part by reaching out to corporate companies and government bodies especially the Office of the President so that they can give a hand. We have written to Eskom, Britannia, Kawacom among others. This being a fan-owned team; we have trust in them as you know it’s really a huge fan base with over 10,000 people. Lastly about this, all our area leaders must pick a leaf from Hon. Bernard Atiku who pledged 5,000 dollars (about Shs18m).
How far do you think you will go?
It’s all about focus and focus is determined by a lot of things. As Paidha we are set to achieve anything as long as the needed finances are got.
Where will you be hosting your games?
At the moment we have not yet decided on that, because you are aware that all our stadiums in West Nile can’t host such big events. We shall probably use Namboole Stadium.
Last season you sold most of your players. How do you expect to cope?
It’s true and this was due to various reasons; first being Fufa’s bias. The Fufa legal team allowed UPL teams to freely take our players with no serious action taken despite us reaching out to them. Another issue was some of our players weren’t under contract and this was a loophole [on our part]. However, the club has recruited new talents [and] we hope they will deliver.
You suspended your coach Kheri Hussein for various reasons. Won’t that affect your season too?
Nooooo… It can’t in any way because we have technically restructured the club.
Lastly, can Paidha win the Big League title this season and gain promotion to the Premier League?
This season our club theme is ‘Azam UPL Nalo’. So we are in for the battle.
ABOUT PAIDHA BALCK ANGELS
Paidha Balck Angels is a community-based club formed in 1979 by ex-service men, businessmen and locals. It made history by becoming the first team from West Nile to reach the milestone of Caf Confederation Cup qualification and the only team from a lower league to take part in a continental tournament.