Uganda: Walusimbi Set to Undergo Trials in Sweden

James Ssekandi

18 June 2011

Uganda Cranes and Bunnamwaya left-back Godfrey Walusimbi’s recent displays could earn him a lucrative deal at Swedish top-tier side AIK Sona.

According to Bunnamwaya secretary Haruna Kyobe, AIK will test Walusimbi, 22, for a week. In this period, he is expected to feature in two friendly games before returning at the end of this month.

“He left on Tuesday night for Stockholm. There have been other interested clubs from North Africa but as a club and in the player’s interest, we thought this was a better deal,” Kyobe said.

Early this year, Walusimbi was on the verge of penning a contract with Angolan side Petro Atletico but the deal fell through. Should Walusimbi succeed, he will be the second Ugandan to ply his trade in the Allsvenskan League – following in the footsteps of Martin Kayongo Mutumba, who was sold to Hungarian club Videoton FC by AIK.

Fantastic energy

Walusimbi scored his first international goal in Cranes’ 2-0 win over Guinea Bissau during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier earlier this month. Besides the goal, he mesmerised opponents with well-timed runs and dribbles, prompting Cranes coach Bobby Williamson to tip him for ‘bigger things’.

“Brilliant. He gives everything he has got. He has fantastic energy. He is a talented footballer and he should play at a higher level. I am sure one day he will do it and someone will recognise his value to the team and ability because he is tremendous,” Williamson said of Walusimbi after the victory at Namboole.

Despite being a natural defender, Walusimbi was deployed on the left side of the midfield against Bissau and performed brilliantly. His versatillity could come in handy as he embarks on a professional journey.

Bunnamwaya chairman Thaddeus Kitandwe also confirmed that the club would let highly-rated midfielder Mike Mutyaba move to Tanzania’s Yanga if the clubs agree on a fee.

The outgoing Super League champions have already sold midfielders Ibrahim ‘Saddam’ Juma and Hakim Senkumba plus striker Caesar Okhuti to Vietnamese teams.

Meanwhile, Victors secretary Haruna Tamale revealed that the Jinja-based side had secured the services of defender Julius Isabirye from Express.

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