Coach Oliver Mbekeka led Lugazi FC to their first victory in the Ugandan Premier League after six matches. Mbekeka made history, becoming the first-ever female coach to lead a team out in the Ugandan top flight, and she did so in style with a 1-0 victory against Express FC in the capital, Kampala.
Speaking after the match, the tactician was awed as she not only made history but also led the newly promoted Lugazi to an important victory.
This is a great day for women coaches in Uganda and, at large, women’s football in the country. I am privileged to make history, and more so, to do it with a win. Women can equally compete in a field dominated by men, and I believe this will send encouragement to all women football tacticians in the country.
The former Ugandan international was tasked with an interim role at the club after the firing of former coach Sadick Sempigi, who failed to win any of his first five matches of the season. While she holds forte, with the club deliberating on whether or not to bring in a new coach, Mbekeka hopes to see the team succeed further.
Mbekeka told Telecomasia.net after her side’s match at Hamz Stadium:
It was a delight to win our first match, but the job does not end here. We need to keep working on areas we feel we can improve. The Premier League is tough, and we have to ensure we pick points in every game we play.
Lugazi were promoted to the Premier League at the start of this season, and they hope to remain afloat in the top flight despite a difficult start to their maiden campaign.
