KAMPALA. Geoffrey Massa has retired from the national team duty after a career spanning 12 years.
The striker announced his retirement in an exclusive interview with New Vision, a local daily and was expected to reiterate the same message at the Fufa weekly press conference today in Mengo.
He was a no show, however, but a few hours later his retirement letter addressed to Fufa president Moses Magogo was shared on the federation website.
He was a no show, however, but a few hours later his retirement letter addressed to Fufa president Moses Magogo was shared on the federation website.
“It is with immense pride that I announce my retirement from the national football team after representing the country for 12 years,” Massa wrote.
Massa during his Cranes career that saw him play for coaches; Muhammed Abbas, Laszlo Csaba, Bobby Williamson and Micho Sredojevic, was loathed and loved in equal measure.
“As a teenager, I fulfilled my childhood dream after making my debut against Ghana on September 4th, 2005.
Massa during his Cranes career that saw him play for coaches; Muhammed Abbas, Laszlo Csaba, Bobby Williamson and Micho Sredojevic, was loathed and loved in equal measure.
“As a teenager, I fulfilled my childhood dream after making my debut against Ghana on September 4th, 2005.
“Although I experienced a couple of low moments during my time with the Cranes, I feel very lucky to have experienced so many wonderful highlights over the course of my international football career,” the striker added.
He scored12 goals in the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers over the years which means he frustrated at times as a striker especially in games played away from home.
The most significant of his goals – and he had a few beautiful ones in there including a belter that tore the Namboole net against Congo Brazzaville in 2014 - was the opener in a 2-0 win against Botswana on June 13, 2016.
He scored12 goals in the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers over the years which means he frustrated at times as a striker especially in games played away from home.
The most significant of his goals – and he had a few beautiful ones in there including a belter that tore the Namboole net against Congo Brazzaville in 2014 - was the opener in a 2-0 win against Botswana on June 13, 2016.
That goal set the tone as Uganda broke a 39 jinx to qualify for the 2017 Nations Cup in Gabon. Massa earned the title “historic captain” for leading Cranes during that campaign.
“I am proud to have played over 80 games for the Cranes, scored over 30 goals for the team but most important of all, to have captained the team to its first ever Africa Nations Cup appearance since 1978.
“I will always look back with great pride at every time I represented my country from the LG Cup, through the CECAFA Challenge Cup tournaments, international friendly matches and several Nations / World Cup Qualifiers.
“I am proud to have played over 80 games for the Cranes, scored over 30 goals for the team but most important of all, to have captained the team to its first ever Africa Nations Cup appearance since 1978.
“I will always look back with great pride at every time I represented my country from the LG Cup, through the CECAFA Challenge Cup tournaments, international friendly matches and several Nations / World Cup Qualifiers.
“The experience of representing my country at the 2017 Nations Cup finals in Gabon was truly memorable, while the feeling after winning three CECAFA Challenge Cup titles and becoming the all-time Nations / World Cup qualifying top scorer with 14 goals, was quite satisfying,” he concluded in a letter where he praised teammates David Obua and Ibrahim Sekagya.
Massa is currently without a club but he played for Mbale Heroes and Police, among others here while his professional stint outside the country has seen him play for Jomo Cosmos in South Africa, Yenicami Algeden in Cyprus.
A return to South Africa in 2013 also saw him feature for University of Pretoria, Bloemfontein Celtics before Baroka Swallows released him early this year.
Massa is currently without a club but he played for Mbale Heroes and Police, among others here while his professional stint outside the country has seen him play for Jomo Cosmos in South Africa, Yenicami Algeden in Cyprus.
A return to South Africa in 2013 also saw him feature for University of Pretoria, Bloemfontein Celtics before Baroka Swallows released him early this year.
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