The name Hassan Mubiru needs no introduction in Ugandan football especially at Express where the iconic striker was named league topscorer for three straight seasons – 2001, 2002 and 2003.
The following year in 2004, he missed the boot by just a goal; He scored nine but beaten by Robert Ssentongo and David Kiwanuka who bagged 10 goals each.
That same year, October 25, Aidah Nakandi and Francis Ssendi gave birth to a baby boy who they named Hassan Mubiru. Not in anyway related to the legend by blood, however.
Little did they know that the new born will one day put on an Express jersey.
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“I have met Hassan Mubiru (senior) because he normally comes at training for the senior team,” Mubiru opens up. “I have not got a chance to speak to him though.”
Mubiru turns out for Express junior team that features in the FUFA Junior league.
Last season, just like his namesake, he scored seven goals and made three assists – The highest tally for any Express FC Junior team player in the 2019/20 season.
His game, however, cannot be judged by only goals – He is a winger, I mean.
“I play on the left wing and I idolise Lionel Messi because he is always the difference on the pitch,” Mubiru describes his style and love for Messi.
“I used to love Caesar Okhuti when he was still at Express; though he doesn’t play on the wing like me. The ease with which he scored goals was on another level.”
Mubiru attended Rahmah Moslem in Mutundwe for his primary level. He went to St Mary’s Katale and Royal Giant Mityana before joining his current school Buddo SS (Senior three).
“When I moved from Royal Giants to Buddo SS, my coach Jamil Mukwaya advised me to get a team that was nearby and that is how I ended up choosing Express junior team,” Mubiru explains.
He was named in the 2019 Copa Coca-cola schools team of the season and was summoned for Uganda Under-15 team to train for CECAFA competition held in Asmara but he never made the final squad.
They youngster says: “I will continue working hard because I didn’t expect to be summoned in the first place.”
Mubiru says that his best game was when he helped Express beat Onduparaka 3-1 in last season’s Junior League game in Arua. He never scored a goal but his performance earned him a player of the match tag.
Buddo SS games master Hakim Ssebunya describes Mubiru as a good finisher with a strong left foot shot who can score from a considerable range away from goal.
“He is mentally strong and technical. He can perform without fear of opposing team. Above all, he is left footed and its natural that left footed players always have some magic in them.
On his weaknesses, he revealed that Mubiru still has to work on his temper because “at times he gets over ambitious which always puts him in the wrong side in the referee’s books. But he is still a going boy hence still has a lot to learn and add on his game.”
His respective coaches at Express believe that the lad has the potential to go top.
He can play anywhere on the front line but his favourite position is wide on the left. He is a dead ball specialist and a good crosser of the ball.
