Former South Sudan national team coach Leo Adraa has been named the new manager of Onduparaka a in his homeland of West Nile.
The 64-year-old will take charge of the Arua outfit immediately ahead of the new season.
Leo Adraa resigned from his position as interim coach of South Sudan over non-payment of his salary having taken charge of only one match – the 3-0 loss to Mali in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in June.
Adraa factfile
He made his name when he played for Uganda at the 1974 Cecafa Cup held in Tanzania and 1976 Nations Cup in Ethiopia. Adraa’s best goal came against Zaire [Now DR Congo] in the 1975 Ugandan Independence Anniversary Cup at Nakivubo
In 1982, local football body Fufa trimmed the topflight from 17 teams to create a ‘Super 10’ league. The move effectively relegated Nsambya, which had finished in 13th position.
Aged 30 then, Adraa opted to remain loyal to Nsambya. The ravages of advancing age forced him to revert to a position in defence since his speed and power had waned.
Testament to his character, though, he fought back from wear-and-tear and injuries as to guide Nsambya to Super League in 1985.
He played till 1986 before he called it a day and was appointed head coach in 1989. He would later serve on the club’s technical panel.
To this day, Adraa is best known for his spirit and loyalty to Nsambya and regarded as one of the Club’s greatest players.
Adraa coached the national Under-20 team in 1998, and then handled The Kobs which qualified and played at the 1999 All Africa Games in South Africa and also coached The Uganda Cranes in 2003-2004.
At Club level he handled Nsambya, Arua Young, Scoul, Express, Kinyara, Boroboro and Gulu United before he left for South Sudan where he managed top sides – Malakia and Atalabara.
