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David GOMBE

Famously recognized to followers as Muyizzi Tasubwa (a hunter who by no means misses), Farouk Miya has his title written on the wall of fame for Uganda’s soccer.

At 28, he’s Uganda Cranes’ third all-time main scorer with 24 objectives, behind solely Majid Musisi (35) and Emma Okwi (28). Regardless of enjoying for giant golf equipment in Europe and representing the nationwide workforce on huge phases, Miya attributes a part of his success to Airtel Masaza Cup.

Ugandans will eternally bear in mind him for the decisive strike towards Comoros that ended the nation’s 39 yr look forward to qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations.

For Miya, that unforgettable second was constructed on the boldness he developed whereas enjoying earlier than packed crowds within the Airtel Masaza Cup with Mawokota in 2013.

Born in Kampala to Aisha Mutesi, a matron at Kyambogo College, and the late Yusuf Muhammad, Miya’s soccer journey started when his expertise caught the eye of Dr Eddie Butindo, a lecturer at Kyambogo College and a good friend to Miya’s mom.

Whereas Butindo was teaching the Kyambogo women’ soccer workforce, he invited Miya to coach with them, only for enjoyable.

To his shock, Miya blended nicely. He later launched him to the Kampala Children League whereas he was nonetheless a pupil at Gombe Main College.
Though his skill was evident from an early age, Miya admits soccer was by no means his greatest precedence.

“I at all times performed soccer for enjoyable, however folks saved telling me I had expertise. My father was a lecturer and at all times inspired me to focus on my books slightly than soccer,” he remembers.

Butindo took Miya to Gombe SS the place he was denied a bursary. He later took him to Bulo Mother and father Secondary College in Butambala, the place he put up an impressive efficiency when his faculty drew towards St Mary’s Secondary College Kitende in Buganda Faculties Championship. This stellar efficiency earned him a slot at Kitende whereas in S.3.

For Miya, becoming a member of Kitende meant competing alongside established faculty stars, together with then captain Eddie Mubiru. Nonetheless, his versatility rapidly made him indispensable.

“I may play as an attacking midfielder, winger, quantity ten, holding midfielder, even in defence. That flexibility helped me break into the primary workforce.” He says.

Whereas at Kitende, his coach Edward Golola, who had been appointed head coach of Mawokota FC invited him to be a part of the workforce.

Initially reluctant due to his tutorial commitments, Miya finally accepted the invitation out of respect for Golola and since Kitende director Dr Lawrence Mulindwa hailed from Mawokota.

Nonetheless, Miya’s tutorial focus didn’t enable him to remain within the camp all through the event. He would obtain permission to go away faculty two days earlier than matches, be a part of the workforce for coaching, play the sport and return instantly.

Miya’s Mawokota FC reached Masaza Cup finals with Ssingo, the place he struck a dramatic late freekick winner handy Mawokota a historic 1-0 victory at Nakivubo Stadium earlier than a packed crowd in presence of Kabaka Mutebi.

“That victory nonetheless feels recent. Scoring the profitable aim towards Ssingo within the presence of the Kabaka was unforgettable.Getting the prospect to shake his hand whereas receiving my medal stays one of many proudest moments in my profession.” Says Miya.

After a profitable season at Masaza, Miya returned to Kitende for research, which he had already helped win again to again Copa Coca-Cola Nationwide Faculties Championships in 2012 and 2013.

His efficiency quickly earned him a transfer to his school-affiliated Vipers Sports activities Membership throughout his Senior Six trip, the place he performed for one season and led them to an unbeaten league title, completed because the league’s Most Helpful Participant after netting 11 objectives and 7 assists. This success secured him a slot on the nationwide workforce, and a file US$400,000 switch to Belgian giants Normal Liege.
For Miya, the largest achievement from the Airtel Masaza Cup was not a medal or a trophy, however the confidence to ship outcomes earlier than giant crowds.

“Enjoying earlier than 1000’s of passionate followers within the Masaza Cup ready me for the nationwide workforce. The environment is exclusive as a result of supporters are available numbers, deeply loyal to their counties. That have gave me confidence to ship leads to entrance of massive crowds, one thing many who haven’t performed within the event miss,” He says.
Miya believes that the identical explains why some gifted footballers excel at membership stage however wrestle on the worldwide stage.

“Some gamers have the expertise and high quality, however discover it tough to deal with the stress that comes with enjoying for the nationwide workforce. The Masaza Cup helped me overcome that concern,” He provides.
That confidence has adopted him all through a profession that has taken him throughout Europe and Asia. After Normal Liege, Miya featured for Royal Excel Mouscron in Belgium, Sabail FK in Azerbaijan, FC Lviv in Ukraine, Konyaspor and Caykur Rizespor in Turkey, and now Ilioupoli FC in Greece.

Miya credit Airtel for creating platforms that remodeled his profession, from Airtel Rising Stars, the place he represented the Buganda Area and St Mary’s Kitende, to the Airtel Masaza Cup the place he scored eight objectives and helped Mawokota carry their third title.

Miya believes the event stays one in every of Uganda’s most vital expertise improvement pathways, and he desires to see it obtain even better publicity by broadcasts.
“The Masaza Cup continues to provide gamers for the Uganda Premier League and the nationwide workforce. If matches are broadcast dwell, extra followers will assist the sport, much more younger gamers shall be impressed to dream huge.”

As he prepares for AFCON 2027, following his historic return to Vipers after 10 years, Miya believes the boldness he first developed within the Airtel Masaza Cup continues to form his performances in the present day. He urges younger gamers to work laborious, be disciplined and consider in themselves, which is the start of each profitable soccer profession.