Football world mourns former Uganda Cranes star Ibrahim 'Black Maradona' Buwembo

14:29 - 30 December 2023

Ibrahim Buwembo breathed his last on Friday|COURTESY

In his playing days, 'Black Maradona' featured for seven-time Uganda Premier League champions Express FC and defunct sides Simba, Coffee and State House.

Former Uganda Cranes left winger Ibrahim Buwembo met his end on Friday after a devastating spell of illness.

Amidst financial difficulties, Buwembo battled illness, and at a time when FUFA and other football enthusiasts had opted to foot his bills at Mengo Hospital, death struck.

Ibrahim Buwembo breathed his last on Friday|COURTESY

In his playing days, 'Black Maradona' featured for seven-time Uganda Premier League champions Express FC and defunct sides Simba, Coffee and State House.

Described as a fast-paced player who was a skilled dribbler, Buwembo also played pro in Asia, including stints in Vietnam and Oman.

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With the Uganda Cranes, he won the CECAFA Cup in 1992, before his retirement later on to take on a career as a players' agent.

His passing has drawn various reactions, paying tribute to a career and life well-lived.

Not the best news to end the year

Former Uganda Cranes winger Ibrahim Buwembo has passed away. He also played for Coffee and Express in the 80s and 90s pic.twitter.com/MwpTuRVn1X
— Omutegeke | 🇺🇬🎙️ (@CliveKyazze) December 29, 2023

Retired Assistant Inspector General of Police and SC Villa board member Asab Kasingye has called for the Parliament of Uganda to eulogize Buwembo's passing.

#UnpopularOpinion #102. The country in general & football in particular have lost a former @UgandaCranes hero #IbrahimBuwembo. For the first time, can Parliament honor a Cranes fallen hero by eulogizing him? @OfficialFUFA boss is a MP. pic.twitter.com/NXaBaR7LrY
— AIGP(Rtd) Asan Kasingye (@AKasingye) December 30, 2023

KCCA FC head coach Abdallah Mubiru was quoted as "heartbroken" for the loss of a "formidable" rival.

Heartbroken to learn of the passing of Ibrahim Buwembo, a former colleague and formidable rival during our football playing days.

My deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, the Uganda football fraternity, and the Mamba Clan. pic.twitter.com/Spk4STvPtx
— Mubiru Abdallah (@MubiruAbdallah3) December 29, 2023

Senior journalist and Startimes Uganda Marketing Manager Aldrine Nsubuga has described Buwembo as a "dribbling machine" who was the "most difficult winger to defend against."

Owe mmamba rest in peace. What a left foot! This dribbling machine was the most difficult winger to defend against in the late 1980s and 1990s. A one man team who could single handedly destroy a giant..Dribbler, goal scorer, crosser and ball controller. Rest well friend. pic.twitter.com/E3s3jDDs80
— Aldrine Nsubuga SNR (@AldrineLive) December 30, 2023

A number of condolence messages continue to pour in for the fallen Buwembo, who'll be laid to rest later on Saturday.

FUFA, FUFA Super League Board and Uganda Premier League Secretariat, the orgainzers of StarTimes Uganda Premier League are deeply saddened by the passing of Ibrahim Mukalazi Buwembo, former Uganda Cranes player who also played in the league for Coffee SC, Simba FC and Express FC.… pic.twitter.com/K7kZe8wf0M
— StarTimes Uganda Premier League (@UPL) December 30, 2023

We share in the collective sorrow for the departed talent and @UgandaCranes Legend, Ibrahim Buwembo. His memory will endure.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un. #TheJogoos🔵 pic.twitter.com/4jeRsS2y5a
— SC Villa (@SCVillaJogoo) December 30, 2023