Former Vipers, Villa and Express midfielder Taddeo Lwanga is happy with the development of sports infrastructure in Uganda, particularly the renovated Namboole and Nakivubo Stadiums.
Lwanga, who currently plays for Rwanda Premier League champions APR FC, believes these improved facilities will aid in the development of local talent that can later be exported.
“I think that’s a very good thing for football. It shows that we’re developing as a country,” he said in an interview with Sports journalist Peter Tabu.
“The more you have sports infrastructure, the more you get players in the right shape to compete on the international level,” he said.
The 30-year-old midfielder also reflected on his successful season with APR, where he helped his side to the Rwanda Premier League title, and reached the final of the Heroes Cup.
“It was a fruitful season. We won the trophy (Premier League) and got to the finals of Heroes Cup,” he said. “I’d term it as a successful one, though we (APR) didn’t go to the group stages of the CAF Champions League, which was the target.”
Lwanga, who has played in Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda noted the differences between playing in the three countries, stating that it’s more difficult to play in Rwanda because of artificial turf pitches, unlike the natural grass pitches found in Tanzania and Uganda.
He also believes the Tanzanian Premier League is more competitive than the leagues in Uganda and Rwanda.
Speaking about his former club Simba SC in Tanzania, Lwanga urged them to “go back to the drawing board” and make the necessary changes to regain the league title they have lost to rivals Yanga SC in the last three seasons.
Lwanga, who has 26 caps for the Uganda Cranes, called upon Ugandans to show up and support the national team, as they take on Botswana and Algeria in World Cup qualifying matches, saying their support can make a difference.
“I call upon everyone to come support the Uganda Cranes. They (qualifiers) are tough matches, but with your support, you can make it easy for them,” he said.
