FUFA hires foreign coach for Sand Cranes

Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has confirmed the appointment of Angelo Schirinzi from Switzerland as the new head coach of Uganda National Beach Soccer Team, the Sand Cranes.

The federation said the appointment of Schirinzi, an experienced coach, was recently confirmed following a decision by the 27th FUFA Executive Committee meeting.

The FUFA president Moses Magogo told journalists at the unveiling of Schirinzi at FUFA House in Mengo that the federation has been strategic in helping the game develop and believes the new coach will help to take Uganda a step further.

“The game has made huge strides since its inception in 2019. From just being a mere recreation sport we were able to form the Association, create a league that helped us to get a formidable team,” Magogo said.

Adding: “At the start, the Sand Cranes competed in regional tournaments, we then decided to participate in the AFCON Qualifiers and on our first attempt, we did not qualify. There was improvement in the second attempt, we qualified and played all the way to the semifinals,”

He explained that competing on the world stage takes some sort of investment & that is what they are doing. It is now time to take another step, he said.

“The new coach has vast experience having played and coached the game at the highest level. He is a FIFA Instructor and we believe we will improve our team,” Magogo revealed with a confidence.

Schirinzi expressed his delight in the new role and hopes to help the team perform. “I am exceedingly excited to be here and work with the Uganda Sand Cranes. I believe this is an opportunity for me to extend my knowledge to Uganda and help the game of beach soccer grow in the country.”

The first task for coach Schirinzi will come in the HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship in Durban, South Africa between 25th September -1st October 2022.

The Sand Cranes will then shift focus to the 2022 Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations due next month in Mozambique.