BEVIS’ NORTHERN IRISH LINK TO UGANDA
MOTHERWELL defender Bevis Mugabi hopes an unlikely Northern Irish connection can help him flourish on the international scene for Uganda.
The 25-year-old has been called up for international duty for the first time in over a year and will spend this week at a training camp in Dubai in preparation for crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Sudan in November.
Mugabi has 10 caps for his country and has become a regular for Motherwell this season, replacing Peter Hartley in the heart of Stephen Robinson’s defence.
And it’s his club manager’s close friendship with Uganda manager – and fellow Lisburn native – Jonathan McKinstry that Mugabi hopes can help him cement his place for country too.
McKinstry was the youngest manager in international football when he took over
Sierra Leone at just 27 years old in 2013. He helped them rise to their highest ever FIFA world ranking position of 50th.
Now Mugabi hopes he can be just as successful with Uganda.
The 6ft 2in defender said: “I’ve been in close contact with the Uganda coach having reviews about the games I’ve been playing and he’s been watching me.
“South Sudan are two qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations so if we win both games we’ll be in the tournament nt next year. It’s a positive sign the he manager is in touch with me. .
“He’s watching the games es and he knows the manager er here. They speak quite a lot ot from what I’ve heard.
“So it’s a good situation with h them knowing each other. He’s e’s very young for a manager but ut he’s been very successful in African football.
“It’s good to be learning from other coaches at the same time and developing my game as well.”