McKinstry sings Shafiq Kagimu praises after frenetic debut

Shafiq Kagimu in short number 18 (Image: Gor Mahia FC)

FKFPL McKinstry sings Shafiq Kagimu praises after frenetic debut

Festus Chuma 10:00 - 30.03.2023

The former Uganda CHAN team captain played a crucial role in K'Ogalo win against Bullets.

Gor Mahia coach Jonathan McKinstry has praised midfielder Shafiq Kagimu after the Ugandan made his debut in the thumping win over Vihiga Bullets at Kasarani on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old Uganda international was handed a start in the top flight, having joined K’Ogalo recently from Uganda Premier League outfit URA FC with Ernest Wendo and John Ochieng dropping to the bench.

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Speaking after the game, McKinstry praised Kagimu for putting on an excellent display and tipped him for greatness at K’Ogalo.

“ Shafiq Kagimu is a player whom I know for quite some time.When I first came across him he was playing as a left winger or attacking midfielder and I brought him in and everyone though I was a little bit crazy in Uganda when I said I this boy can play number six and he was playing as an offensive player at URA but we brought him to national team setup and we put him in number six,” said the former Uganda national team coach.

“I think you saw today that he can play that one and two-touch football, but he is a leader. When you put him alongside Wendo, John Ochieng, and Sydney Ochieng, who are not there today, here is a little different player to many of them.

“The way he moves the ball both short and also he has leadership skills as at URA he was the captain and he also wore the armband for Uganda a few times in CECAFA and CHAN team. He is not wearing an armband here but he is another captain on the pitch.”

Meanwhile, McKinstry revealed why he chose not to start Benson Omalla and opted for the new boy Patrick Kaddu who scored a hat-trick in the match against Bullets.

“Benson Omalla has been away from us for almost one week and half and he just came back from the national team. He was hungry to come in straight but we told him to go and have some few days rest to mentally and physically refresh but we know that he is going to score a lot more goals this season,” added McKinstry.

Kagimu and K’Ogalo will be back in action in the Mozzart Bet Cup on Sunday when they will face Kakamega Homeboyz at Bukhungu Stadium in a Last 16 clash.