Mubiru top candidate to replace Traguil

Abdallah Mubiru is emerging as the top candidate to replace Sergio Daniel Moniz Traguil at KCCA, a source has told Pulse Sports Uganda.

Mubiru is currently without a job since his departure from Tanzanian club Mbeya City in July, and is willing to step back into top football management.

Mubiru, a former KCCA midfielder and coach, has flirted with the club’s executive on several occasions recently over the possibility of a return to the club that is so dear to him. However, that has remained only a fantasy for both sides.

At the start of the 2022/23 season, he was presented with a proposal to work with former coach Morley Byekwaso in a co-coaching set up, but that was denied by the latter.

The Kasasiro Boys also considered him as the most potent replacement for Mike Mutebi following his sacking in 2021, but did not push through with the appointment handing Byekwaso the role instead.

Pulse Sports Uganda also understands that he was among the top two candidates to take over the club at the start of the season, before the board eventually appointed Spaniard Traguil.

Mubiru is no stranger to the dugout at Lugogo, having worked as an assistant coach to George Best Nsimbe between 2012 and 2014.

The duo would lead the club to back-to-back league victories, before he was promoted to head coach role.

However, after seven rigorous months, he was sacked in 2015 following defeat to SC Villa in the Uganda Cup final at Namboole.

The former Vipers and Police FC coach has since underwent tremendous growth as a coach since his previous time at the club, and has developed to become one of the country’s most admired coaches for the consistency in his playing style.

Since his last furore at Lugogo, Mubiru has handled roles at Vipers before spending five years at Police FC where he helped the club to a fourth-place finish in 2022.

He has also handled the Uganda Cranes, overseeing their qualification for the 2021 African Nations Championship [CHAN] before working as an assistant under Johnathan McKinstry.

Traguil left his role together with his assistant Luis Manuel Correira Guerreiro following mutual termination of their contracts on Tuesday.

KCCA’s statement said the decision was based on the fact that Traguil has a pressing family issue, that didn't permit his extension in the role.

The Spaniard had been in charge of the Kasasiro Boys for just four months, and left under a cloud of massive disappointment especially after promising a lot at the start of his reign in July.

KCCA have struggled this season, suffering their worst start to a league season after failing to win any of their opening four games of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League.

The 13-time champions have suffered humbling defeats to BUL FC, Maroons FC, Express FC and Kitara FC to leave them languishing at the bottom of the pile.

They also prematurely exited the CAF Confederation Cup, getting dumped in the second preliminary round by Abu Salim of Libya.

Traguil oversaw his only competitive victory at the club in the second leg of the tie, winning 3-2 in Kampala but crushing out 4-3 on aggregate.

Nine of his 10 victories came during pre-season including a 2-0 win over Wakiso Giants in the quarter finals of the FUFA Super 8.

It has also been reported that Traguil lost his dressing room, having fallen out with several senior figures.

First Team Coach, Jackson Magera has been tasked to take charge of the team on interim basis, and will be in charge of their next game against NEC FC at Lugogo on Thursday.