When Kyambadde declared he was a better player than Fabregas

Kyambadde was a gem in his playing days

TRIBUTE When Kyambadde declared he was a better player than Fabregas

Allan Damba 12:54 - 13.06.2023

Willy Kyambadde was one of the finest Ugandan players of his generation; a midfielder with sleek dribbling, tenacity and outrageous vision.

While the former Uganda Cranes midfielder is considered a true great of the game in the country, many feel he could have turned out a better player, had he been in a better sporting environment.

'Black Maradona', who passed on Monday at his home in Kawempe after he reportedly slid and fell, was a naturally gifted talent with a rare confidence, with the ball at his feet.

Kyambadde (yellow) in the evening of his career with Proline|courtesy image

So good and confident was Kyambadde that he believed he was a much better player than Arsenal, Barcelona and Spanish national team great, Cesc Fabregas.

"Fabregas was only a better player than me because he is white (Spanish)," Kyambadde revealed in a YouTube video recorded by local channel 'Smile Zone.'

Cesc Fabregas scored the winning penalty for Spain in the shoot-out against Italy at Euro 2008

"I swear to God I would play ahead of him (Fabregas) had we been offered a similar environment and playing for the same team," Kyambadde added.

He went on to reveal his strong admiration for Barcelona legends Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, before reitering his might over Fabregas.

"The midfielders I consider as the true greats are Xavi and Iniesta because the things they did were extraordinary."

"Fabregas was so acquainted with square-passes and I don't believe in that, I love forward play," noted Kyambadde.

"I am an Arsenal supporter, I am not demeaning Fabregas, but had I grown in a similar environment, I would play ahead of him or the coach would have had to twist the system to accommodate him."

Besides featuring for Express on two spells, Kyambadde also played for Arua Young, KCCA FC, Jomo Cosmos of Zambia, Dongtan Long An FC of Vietnam, Soltilo Bright Stars and Proline FC.

He also played for the Cranes for eight years between 1996 to 2004. He was a pillar as Uganda's U-23 team reached the semi-finals of the 1999 All Africa games in South Africa.