Uganda Cranes left-back Mustafa Kizza has reflected on his football journey with a mix of pride, missed opportunities, and valuable lessons.
In an interview with NBS Sport on Thursday, the former KCCA FC star shared untold stories from his time abroad and called for better investment in football structures back home.
Kizza, a graduate of the KCCA FC academy, rose to prominence under coach Mike Mutebi. Known for his precision crosses and attacking flair, he earned the nickname “Assist King” and played a key role in KCCA’s domestic and continental campaigns.
His consistent performances eventually earned him a dream move to Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact in 2020.
“Before I moved to Montreal, my agent told me Thierry Henry would call me,” Kizza recalled. “I felt like I was on cloud nine. I told everyone. When the call finally came, I got goosebumps all over my body. I was using my small Samsung phone at the time.”
While in Montreal, Kizza says life was comfortable. “The $2,000 I was given for upkeep when I arrived, I didn’t spend it until I returned to Uganda. Everything was provided for me,” he said.
However, his dream stint in North America was short-lived. After just one season, the club did not renew his contract. He then signed with Portuguese topflight club Arouca, but that too ended abruptly with his contract terminated in December 2022.
“I was about to join Galatasaray while I was still in Montreal, but unfortunately, the deal didn’t materialize,” he revealed.
Despite the disappointments, Kizza cherishes moments like facing Benfica during a friendly while at Arouca. “I had the chance to see top talents like Enzo Fernandez and Goncalo Ramos. I remember Benfica was leading 3-0 in the first 20 minutes when I was told to warm up. It wasn’t an easy situation,” he said.
Kizza also spoke about his football influences. “Growing up, Joseph Ochaya was my idol. I also admire Godfrey Walusimbi and Marcelo,” he shared.
Reflecting on his international experience, Kizza didn’t shy away from pointing out the root cause of many Ugandan footballers failing to thrive abroad.
“Uganda is blessed with a lot of talent, but we lack proper nurturing structures. We fail to make it in those leagues abroad because, back home, we are not given the details of understanding the game, even when we know how to play,” he said.
He called on local football authorities to invest more in technical departments to ensure players develop a deeper tactical grasp of the game, which is crucial for thriving in top leagues.
Now wiser from his experiences, Kizza aged 25, hopes that his story will inspire both current and upcoming players to stay focused while also pushing stakeholders to better support local talent on the global stage.
