Famously identified to followers as MuyizziTasubwa (a hunter who by no means misses), Farouk Miya has his title written on the wall of fame for Uganda’s soccer GOATs (Greatest of all occasions).
At 28, he’s Uganda Cranes’ third all-time main scorer with 24 targets, behind solely Majid Musisi (35) and Emma Okwi (28).
Despite enjoying for large golf equipment in Europe and representing the nationwide crew on massive phases, Miya attributes a part of his success to Airtel Masaza Cup.
Ugandans will perpetually keep in mind him for the decisive strike towards Comoros that ended the nation’s 39 yr anticipate qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations.
For Miya, that unforgettable second was constructed on the boldness he developed whereas enjoying earlier than packed crowds within the Airtel Masaza Cup with MawokotaFC in 2013.
Born in Kampala to Aisha Mutesi, a matron at Kyambogo University, and the late Yusuf Muhammad, Miya’s soccer journey started when his expertise caught the eye of Dr Eddie Butindo, a lecturer at Kyambogo University and a good friend to Miya’s mom.
While Butindo was teaching the Kyambogo ladies’ soccer crew, he invited Miya to coach with them, only for enjoyable.
To his shock, Miya blended properly. He later launched him to the Kampala Kids League whereas he was nonetheless a pupil at Gombe Primary School.
Although his capability was evident from an early age, Miya admits soccer was by no means his largest precedence.
“I all the time performed soccer for enjoyable, however folks saved telling me I had expertise. My father was a lecturer and all the time inspired me to focus on my books relatively than soccer,” he recollects.
Butindo took Miya to Gombe SS the place he was denied a bursary.
He later took him to Bulo Parents Secondary School in Butambala, the place he put up an impressive efficiency when his college drew towards St Mary’s Secondary School Kitende in Buganda Schools Championship.
This stellar efficiency earned him a slot at Kitende whereas in S.3.
For Miya, becoming a member of Kitende meant competing alongside established college stars, together with then captain Eddie Mubiru.
However, his versatility rapidly made him indispensable.
“I might play as an attacking midfielder, winger, quantity ten, holding midfielder, even in defence. That flexibility helped me break into the primary crew.” He says.
While at Kitende, his coach Edward Golola, who had been appointed head coach of Mawokota Ssaza crew invited him to be a part of the crew. Initially reluctant due to his tutorial commitments, Miya ultimately accepted the invitation out of respect for Golola and since Kitende director Dr Lawrence Mulindwa hailed from Mawokota.
However, Miya’s tutorial focus didn’t enable him to remain within the camp all through the match.
He would obtain permission to go away college two days earlier than matches, be part of the crew for coaching, play the sport and return instantly.
Miya’s Mawokota reached Masaza Cup finals with Ssingo, the place he struck a dramatic late freekick winner handy Mawokota a historic 1-0 victory at Nakivubo Stadium earlier than a packed crowd in presence of Kabaka Mutebi.
“That victory nonetheless feels recent. Scoring the successful aim towards Ssingo within the presence of the Kabaka was unforgettable. Getting the possibility to shake his hand whereas receiving my medal stays one of many proudest moments in my profession.” Says Miya.
After a profitable season at Masaza, Miya returned to Kitende for research, which he had already helped win again to again Copa Coca-Cola National Schools Championships in 2012 and 2013.
His efficiency quickly earned him a transfer to his school-affiliated Vipers Sports Clubduring his Senior Six trip, the place he performed for one season and led them to an unbeaten league title, completed because the league’s Most Valuable Player after netting 11 targets and 7 assists.
This success secured him a slot on the nationwide crew, and a file US$ 400,000 switch to Belgian giants Standard Liege.
For Miya, the most important achievement from the Airtel Masaza Cup was not a medal or a trophy, however the confidence to ship outcomes earlier than massive crowds.
“Playing earlier than hundreds of passionate followers within the Masaza Cup ready me for the nationwide crew. The environment is exclusive as a result of supporters are available in numbers, deeply loyal to their counties. That expertise gave me confidence to ship ends in entrance of huge crowds, one thing many who haven’t performed within the match miss,”He says.
Miya believes that the identical explains why some gifted footballers excel at membership degree however wrestle on the worldwide stage.
“Some gamers have the expertise and high quality, however discover it tough to deal with the stress that comes with enjoying for the nationwide crew. The Masaza Cup helped me overcome that concern,” He provides.
That confidence has adopted him all through a profession that has taken him throughout Europe and Asia. After Standard Liege, Miya featured for Royal Excel Mouscron in Belgium, Sabail FK in Azerbaijan, FC Lviv in Ukraine, Konyaspor and Caykur Rizespor in Turkey, and now Ilioupoli FC in Greece.
Miya credit Airtel for creating platforms that reworked his profession, from Airtel Rising Stars, the place he represented the Buganda Region and St Mary’s Kitende, to the Airtel Masaza Cup the place he scored eight targets and helped Mawokota carry their third title.
Miya believes the match stays one in all Uganda’s most vital expertise growth pathways, and he desires to see it obtain even higher publicity by broadcasts.
“The Masaza Cup continues to provide gamers for the Uganda Premier League and the nationwide crew. If matches are broadcast dwell, extra followers will assist the sport, much more younger gamers will likely be impressed to dream massive.”
As he prepares for AFCON 2027, following his historic return to Vipers after 10 years, Miya believes the boldness he first developed within the Airtel Masaza Cup continues to form his performances at the moment.
He urges younger gamers to work onerous, be disciplined and imagine in themselves, which is the start of each profitable soccer profession.
