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David Obua

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David Obua
Personal information
Date of birth (1984-04-10) 10 April 1984 (age 40)[1]
Place of birth Kampala, Uganda
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2+1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Left back / Left winger
Team information
Current team
 URA SC [2]
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999 Police FC 20 (5)
2000 Raleigh Capital Express 37 (18)
2001 Wilmington Hammerheads 42 (19)
2001–2002 Express FC 17 (11)
2002–2003 AS Port-Louis 2000 19 (15)
2003–2005 Express FC 48 (19)
2005–2008 Kaizer Chiefs 63 (17)
2008–2012 Heart of Midlothian 91 (14)
Total 337 (110)
International career
2003–2011 Uganda 58 (14)
Managerial career
2018–2023 Maroons FC (assistant coach)[3]
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

David Obua (born 10 April 1984)[4][5] is a Ugandan football coach and former professional football player.[6] He is the current coach of URA FC in the Ugandan Premier League. He was appointed in November 2023. During his playing career, Obua played for Police FC, Raleigh Capital Express, Wilmington Hammerheads, Kaizer Chiefs and Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Premier League.[7] At international level, he represented Uganda national team and has a record of being the country's all-time goal scorer record in the Africa Nations Cup and World Cup qualifiers.[8]

Club career

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Born in Kampala, Uganda, Obua played for a number of clubs in his native Uganda including Police FC. He also spent some time in Mauritius and in the United States, where he played for Raleigh Capital Express and Wilmington Hammerheads whilst attending college.

Obua was spotted by Kaizer Chiefs while playing for the Uganda national team against South Africa and was offered a 3-year contract. He made his debut on 11 August 2005 in a 2–0 win over Dynamos. He scored his first Chiefs goal in the Soweto derby on 29 October 2005.[9] Obua impressed during his time in South Africa, winning the championship and South African Player of the Year in season 2006–07.[10]

After expiry of his Kaizer Chiefs contract he was available on a free transfer in the summer of 2008. He landed a trial with Premier League club West Ham United,[11] before agreeing a deal with Scottish Premier League club Heart of Midlothian.[12] On 6 August, it was revealed that Obua was granted a work permit and had signed for Hearts.

He found life in the SPL difficult in his first two seasons,[13][14] although he did see an improvement in his form when Jim Jefferies replaced his former national manager Csaba László. In the absence of a target man, Obua was often played in the unfamiliar role of striker. Obua scored the winner in an Edinburgh derby at Easter Road, home of arch rivals Hibernian.[15] Obua was sent off at Hearts' home match against Celtic on 11 May 2011 at an eventual 3–0 loss. He scored the opening goal of the 2011–12 SPL season against Rangers at Ibrox with a header from a corner.[16] Obua was told in April 2012 that his contract with Hearts would not be extended.[17]

On 25 March 2015 Obua retired from football, however, he subsequently trained with Kampala club Kampala Capital City Authority FC to keep up his fitness.[18]

International career

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David Obua began playing for the Cranes during his time at Super League club Express FC. In September 2007, Obua scored a hat-trick for Uganda in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger which Uganda won 3–1.[19] On 10 October 2011, he reportedly refused to meet with the President of the Republic of Uganda in their training camp and also had not been in good terms with the FUFA president, he vowed never to play for Uganda again, at least while president Lawrence Mulindwa and head coach Bobby Williamson were involved with the setup.[20] He scored his first goal for Uganda against Ghana on 3 July 2004 at Nakivubo Stadium[21]

Career statistics

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As of 27 February 2012[22][23]
Club statistics
Club Season League Scottish Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Heart of Midlothian 2008–09 27 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 30 2
2009–10 32 3 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 35 3
2010–11 13 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 0
2011–12 19 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 22 1
Total 91 6 5 0 3 0 2 0 0 0 101 6

Managerial career

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In September 2018, Obua became the assistant coach of Maroons FC and signed a three-year contract,[2] working alongside head coach George Nsimbe.[6] In an interview with Kwesé Sports,[2] George Nsimbe praised Obua, stating, "Am glad that am going to work with former Uganda cranes legend Obua and I believe we shall triumph together, We'll work together as a team to drive Maroons FC in the right direction".[24]

In September 2023,Mr. Obua resigned from his position at Maroons FC and joined URA FC as the Manager and head coach on 16 September 2023. His appointment came in the wake of the unfortunate passing of coach Sam Timbe, leaving a void at URA that Obua had to fill.

The terms of the deal are rumoured to include a two-year contract for the newly appointed head coach.

As part of his responsibilities, Obua will have the authority to select at least one assistant coach to join the coaching staff.

Personal life

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Obua is the son of the late Denis Obua, who played for Uganda in the 1978 African Cup of Nations. He also has a younger brother, Eric Obua who is a Cranes youth international.[25][5] His uncle John Akii-Bua became Uganda's first Olympic champion by winning the 400-metre hurdles in the world record time of 47.82 seconds at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.[26][27][5]

On 3 June 2015, former Heart of Midlothian star Obua was involved in a car accident.[28] During 2017 Africa Cup of Nations he was among the analysts in the Super Sport studios during matches.[29]

Honors

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Express

2003

AS Port-Louis 2000

2002, 2003
2002

Kaizer Chiefs

Champions 2004–05
Winners 2006, 2008
Winners 2007
Winners 2006

Hearts

References

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  1. ^ "Uganda – D. Obua – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway".
  2. ^ a b c "Former Uganda Cranes' captain lands URA FC coaching job". 16 September 2023.
  3. ^ "Former Kaizer Chiefs star Obua joins Maroons Technical Team". Kawowo Sports. 25 September 2018.
  4. ^ "David Obua (Player)".
  5. ^ a b c "Profile: David Obua's Journey to Punditry". ChimpReports. 10 April 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Airtelfootball.ug".
  7. ^ "Uganda National Web Portal".
  8. ^ "Geoffrey Massa equals David Obua's Goals Record in AFCON/WC Qualifiers". 11 September 2014.
  9. ^ "2007–08 Player Profiles". SuperSport. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  10. ^ David Obua – Player profile Archived 21 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine Heart of Midlothian FC, 4 March 2010
  11. ^ "Out of Africa". Knees Up Mother Brown. 12 July 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  12. ^ "Obua agrees contract with Hearts". BBC Sport. 20 July 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  13. ^ "Profile of David Obua: Info, news, matches and statistics | BeSoccer". besoccer.com. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  14. ^ Corry, Phillip (27 April 2012). "Scottish side Hearts offload David Obua in clear out". Kawowo Sports. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  15. ^ "Hibs 1–2 Hearts: Last gasp Obua goal seals victory". The Scotsman Sport. Johnston Press. 1 May 2010.
  16. ^ Lindsay, Clive (23 July 2011). "Rangers 1 – 1 Hearts". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  17. ^ "Ugandan David Obua on his way out at Hearts". BBC Sport. 27 April 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  18. ^ Muneza, Stephen (25 March 2015). "Ugandan bad boy David Obua finally retires from football". Chimp Reports. Chimp Media Ltd. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  19. ^ Nsimbe, John Vianney (31 March 2011). "Rise and rise of David Obua". The Observer – Uganda. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  20. ^ "Obua's Uganda threat – Vows never to play again". Sky. 10 October 2011. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  21. ^ "Uganda vs. Ghana". National Football Teams. 3 July 2004. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  22. ^ "David Obua Stats". Soccerway. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  23. ^ "David Obua Stats". Soccerbase. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  24. ^ "David Obua lands coaching role at Maroons FC". 25 September 2018.
  25. ^ "Uganda Online – Red Pepper Uganda". ugandaonline.net.
  26. ^ "Hearts' New Signing Obua's Arrival Rekindles Family Tie". allafrica.com. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
  27. ^ Obua, Denis (28 March 2010). "John Akii-Bua is a forgotten sports hero". Uganda Observer. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
  28. ^ "ugo.co.ug". news.ugo.co.ug. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  29. ^ "Former Cranes Star David Obua Impresses at AFCON – Chano8". 17 January 2017.
  30. ^ "Mauritius – List of Champions". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
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