East Bengal FC have secured the signature of Ivan Bukenya, a footballer of Ugandan origin ahead of the upcoming I-League season. The 25-year-old has an exceptional CV and officials from the Red and Gold's brigade will be hoping he gives the team the impetus to finally lift the coveted league trophy.
He played for the Iranian side Arbil SC who made it to the finals of the AFC Cup in 2012. While plying his trade in Iran, he also won the Iranian Premier League. In 2013, after which he moved to South Africa, and last featured for Kaizer Chefs. Internationally, he has made 20 appearances and can play not only as a centre back but also as a midfielder.
The Bengal giants had already signed Haitian forward Wedson Anselme, and the Ugandan is their second foreign recruit this year. Following the release of Callum Angus, who was down with dengue and missed the Bordoloi trophy in which the team eventually ended with the runners-up trophy, the management were desperate to rope in a good foreigner.
Angus did not perform consistently enough in the Calcutta Football League, and it was certain that the British footballer would be let go. The onus thus was to find a better replacement and from the looks of it, it seems the Kolkata club have landed a top-quality player.
Standing at an impressive 6ft 4 inches tall, Bukenya was recommended by the coach Trevor James Morgan himself. He is not only physically commanding but can also pick a pass.
Insiders who saw him during the trials have suggested that his on-the-ball abilities are so good that he can be used in place of the veteran Mehtab Hossein in a midfield pivot position as well. The club were initially chasing Delhi Dynamos defender Anas Edathodika, but his hefty price tag forced the administration to give up.
Bukenya was visibly elated after he put pen to paper, and went on record stating that despite not playing a match for more than 3 months, he will get match fit within the next 3 weeks. East Bengal are scheduled to start their pre-season camp from 19th December, and the Ugandan will not only have to get back in top shape but also ensure that he receives his work permit before that.
Club Secretary Babu Bhattacharya said, “We have a 6-month agreement with Bunyeke. If he is fit and performs well in the first half of the season, we will extend the contract.”
Having let go of Korean attacker Do Dong Hyun recently as well, the Bengal giants are looking to sign a young, reliable striker to fill their foreign quota as well as ensure that there is enough firepower upfront. The I-League kicks off from 7th January, and one expects to see more activity in the market from East Bengal before that.
