Express FC forward Alpha Ssali Thierry has revealed that a humbling experience during his first trip to Spain at the age of 10 was the turning point that ignited his passion for football.
The son of renowned Ugandan musician Bebe Cool, Alpha said he had not initially developed a strong passion for the sport despite growing up in a football-loving family.
His interest changed during a trip to Spain where he got the opportunity to play against young players from Real Sociedad.
Speaking in a Pitchside YouTube interview, Alpha recalled being stunned by the quality of players he encountered, many of whom were younger but already displayed impressive technical ability.
He said the experience was particularly difficult because he was substituted almost immediately and was left on the bench as the game continued.
“I cried in front of the coach. I told him, ‘Coach, I want to be good. I want to play. I want to be better than these people,’” Alpha recalled.
Rather than discouraging him, the experience became the moment that changed his attitude towards football.
After returning to Uganda, Alpha told his father that football was no longer simply something he enjoyed watching but something he wanted to pursue seriously.
“I told my dad, ‘I was one of the people who barely did anything on this trip, and I feel like this is something I really want to do. This is my thing. It’s personal now. I really want to take this far,’” he said.
His passion grew further when he attended a national team match in Uganda and experienced the atmosphere inside a packed stadium for the first time.
Watching the crowd react every time a player touched the ball convinced him that he wanted to experience the game from the pitch rather than from the stands.
“Every time our players touched the ball, I felt the passion, the love and the excitement. I said, ‘I love this. I want to be part of this.’ From that day forward, I dedicated myself,” he said.
With his decision made, Alpha turned to his father for support. Bebe Cool, whom Alpha described as a football fan who had always encouraged him to play, asked what he needed to improve.
Alpha requested training equipment and began working seriously on his game, including individual drills and fitness training.
He also credited Mujib Kasule, the director of Proline, for helping him get training cones that he used in his early development.
Now playing for Express FC, Alpha has progressed through the ranks and believes his younger brothers could eventually make an even bigger impact in Ugandan football. Caysan and Deen Ozil are developing their skills at El Cambio in Masaka.
Alpha described Caysan, a left-footed midfielder, as a technically gifted player with the potential to become one of the best midfielders in the country.
He compared Caysan’s style to Algeria star Riyad Mahrez and Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise, particularly because of his composure and ability on the ball.
“Caysan is a left-footed player. Mr Nonchalant. I think he is going to be one of the best. He is very silky like Mahrez and Olise,” Alpha said.
According to Alpha, Caysan has already made significant progress since joining El Cambio at the age of 12, developing his ability to play quick, two-touch football.
He believes his brother’s development could eventually make people look beyond his own achievements.
“People should forget me in terms of what my brothers are going to bring,” he said.
Alpha also sees considerable potential in his younger brother Deen Ozil, who joined El Cambio at the age of eight.
He likened Deen’s playing style and mentality to former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, describing him as a versatile, aggressive and highly competitive player.
“Deen, that’s a Luis Suarez. Very stubborn. He’s a nine, he’s a winger, very passionate, wants to win, very skilful, right-footed player,” Alpha said.
