Abdallah Mubiru turns down Crested Cranes job

Abdallah Mubiru has had a change of heart and declined the offer to become the assistant coach of the women's national football team, Crested Cranes.  

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) confirmed the development in a brief statement on Sunday. While Mubiru had initially accepted the position, he has since communicated his turnaround due to personal reasons.

“A few days back, Mr Mubiru Abdallah was appointed as assistant coach of the Uganda national senior (women’s) team Crested Cranes. Whereas the appointment was announced after the consent of coach Mubiru, he has since communicated that he has developed personal reasons not to take the offer,” read the Fufa statement.

Fufa announced Mubiru’s appointment on Thursday as the Crested Cranes prepare to host Algeria on Wednesday this week at the Fufa Technical Centre for the women's AFCON qualifiers.

Mubiru, who previously served as a coach for the Uganda Cranes, was set to step into the role that was previously held by Ayubu Khalifa Kiyingi, who has been serving as the assistant coach since March of this year.

In response to Mubiru's turnaround decision, Fufa has reinstated Kiyingi to handle the team as they continue their preparations for the upcoming game.

“The team will continue with the training sessions under coach Ayub Khalifan and Olive Mbekeka as the search for the head coach and assistant of the Crested Cranes continues,” Fufa’s statement reads in parts.

For nearly eight months, the Crested Cranes have not had a head coach since Fufa declared the position vacant back in March. However, throughout this period, Fufa had designated the U-20 national team head coach, Ayubu Khalifa, to assume the role of assistant head coach.