On a humid December evening at Lugogo, as Express FC edged past KCCA FC with a solitary goal, referee Ali Sabila blew the final whistle, marking the end of his celebrated career. The decision by FUFA to exclude Sabila from the 2024 FIFA-approved referees list was the final nail in the coffin, prompting the veteran referee to retire. “FUFA has forced me to retire. The FA talks a lot about IFP (Integrity, Fitness, and Performance), but they never walk the talk,” Sabila lamented. Despite the setback, he remains proud of his journey, declaring, “I’m happy they dropped me when I was at the peak of my refereeing career.”
In an exclusive interview, Junior Ssembatya, a sports specialist, highlighted the magnitude of Sabila’s contributions to football officiation. “When Muhammad Ssegonga, one of Uganda’s best referees to officiate at AFCON, willingly dropped the whistle, Sabila picked up his shoes and stepped into the field. I personally felt content that officiation would remain at its best because Sabila ensured football always won,” he remarked. Ssembatya noted that Sabila was a referee you could trust, adding, “If something went wrong in a game he handled, you knew it was a human error or a genuine mistake.”
Ssembatya lamented Sabila’s omission from the FIFA list, stating, “It’s unfortunate he was dropped, but I believe the league needed him. His quality officiation, which saw him receive CAF and FIFA call-ups, was invaluable. The gap his retirement leaves will be a disservice to the Uganda Premier League. The remaining referees now face the challenge of living up to his legacy, building trust, and delivering the best officiation.” He drew comparisons to Shamira Nabadda, whose excellence has seen her officiate at the Olympics and underage World Cups, emphasizing the importance of retaining seasoned professionals like Sabila for the league’s growth.
As the curtain falls on Sabila’s illustrious career, Ugandan football enters a period of transition. The loss of such a trusted and skilled referee leaves a void that will be difficult to fill. The industry faces the uphill task of maintaining the standards set by Sabila. His retirement underscores the fleeting nature of greatness in football, and his absence will surely be felt on and off the pitch.
Courtesy Photo
Leave a Reply