By: Kyeyune Ali
Today’s modern football, the Goalkeeping position is increasingly critical for success, it’s not because of the saves or a number of clean sheets one can make between the sticks but also when it comes to building the play from the box, combining with other teammates or setting the defense before free kicks.
It is practically impossible for any team to achieve its objectives if it does not have a good guard between the posts.
Goal keeping coach must be knowledgeable academically and a qualified trainer.
The late Fred Kajoba , coach Giling at least they have done a lot to nurture good talented players, the likes of the late Abel Daila he had all characters, Mathias Kigonya but still goal keeping coaches base on their talents to do so.
FUFA should start refresher courses as far as goal keeping is concerned, former Goalkeeper for Kampala University and Kabula Ssaza revealed.
What makes a goalkeeper great?
“The goalkeeper, in his natural state, must be a game winner, a player should obtain decision making, reaction and speed. Player then can cope with all the demands of his environment with intense focus and mental strength but all nurtured by goal keeping coach”. Says Kasumba
“I think the image of the goalkeeper is changing but it is a slow process. We still have goalkeepers in the game that are purely shot-stoppers and goal-kick takers, and I think this is because we have coaches that either facilitate or deliver poor information to goalkeepers.” He stated.
The expectations put on the goalie are massive, so, the main questions here are: Does the head coach really knows about the role of a goalkeeper, beyond being a shot blocker? Are they really taking advantage of everything a goalkeeper has to offer to the team or are they wasting their potential? Are they limiting their own teams without even noticing it? Should the goalkeeper coaches have a more critical and decisive role?
“goalkeeper coaches should not just help in warm-ups, but rather have a more active role within the technical team. ” Added that
“the role of goalkeeping coaches carries more responsibility and they are more respected but in Uganda is not our first priority
the head coach’s confidence must be unquestionable, since goalkeeping coaches can also have a very positive impact outside the areas and impact positively in the rest of players and the team as a whole. “The head coach should know and trust his goalie trainer. He should give him his confidence and the power to make decisions. But this is only possible if the head coach is 100% behind him”.
The country Uganda needs to groom more goalkeeping coaches as football changes from one level to another . Coach sseruyange Abdul from Terranova soccer academy in Bunga is saying that if FUFA consider grassroot football by applying qualified instructors to nature Ugandan football, next generation will benefit because world over the game of football has changed and those countries they have shifted to modern changes but still Uganda we have lagged behind “.
