It is every footballer’s dream including Robert Kakeeko to pull on a National team jersey for his country. National team duty calls for delivery on focus, commitment and skills with an aim of not disappointing those who have put a lot of trust in a player during his career.
Kakeeto a Ugandan International who trades his trade in Aalborg FC in the Danish Super Liga landed a call up to the Uganda Cranes three days to the day the National team played Kitara Region Select on the Uganda Cranes Regional tours. The match was played on 28th May, 2017 in FortPortal.
The 22 year says he will never forget in his life the day he donned the Uganda Cranes jersey.
‘It is like a dream come true for the reason that any footballer would crave for to feature in his National team. I cannot forget the day I first wore the National Team Jersey yet it was another opportunity for adventure in my motherland’ said an excited Kakeeto
Kakeeto says that he grew up looking up to Ugandan midfield gem Tony Mawejje though he also admires KCCA FC midfielder Saddam Juma amidst being in the same age range.
The Aalborg FC player adds that he has to fight tooth and nail not to disappoint those who have confidence in him in particular the National Team tactician Sredejovic ‘Micho’ Milutin for the opportunity he gave him to don the Cranes jersey.
With hopes of being part of the Uganda Cranes team which will qualify for AFCON Cameroon 2019 and FIFA World Cup Russia 2018, Kakeeto can’t stop working hard to keep in shape for his club and the national team.
‘I have to work hard and deliver. It is an obligation for me because I don’t have to let down all those who have commended me especially the Head coach’
Little did he know that he would ever play competitive football until when he received a lot of praises from people in his home village Kyetume in Mukono.
‘I used to play football with my village mates with no hope at all of turning professional. I always heard fans from the sidelines commenting about my skills and how I passed the ball’ added Kakeeto
During his teenage days he was invited to feature for his Village team and later joined Forever Living Soccer Academy in Kampala under Coach Matia Lule.
Heavens opened for Kakeeto who later flew to Denmark for trials at Aalborg FC where he has enjoyed great football development stages till when he was promoted to the club’s Senior team.
The enterprising midfield gem hopes to play in better European leagues like Premier League, Spanish Laliga , Budesliga, French League 1 and Italian Serie A .
For now, Kakeeto will keep his fingers crossed as Head coach Micho looks forward to picking a positive result against Cape Verde when the Total Africa Cup of Nations 2019 Qualifiers get underway on Saturday 10th June, 2017.
MAIN PHOTO: L-R Robert Kakeeto, Muhammad Shaban and Milton Karisa on National team duty
