Morley Byekwaso

{{Short description|Ugandan football coach}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Morley Byekwaso

| image = SCVMBAMD1.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Arnold Odong picks instructions from Morley Byekwaso

| full_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|11|30|df=y}}

| birth_place = Luzira Uganda

| currentclub = SC Villa (manager)

| manageryears1 = 2024-

| managerclubs1 = SC Villa

| manageryears2 = 2023–2023

| managerclubs2 = Uganda (Interim Coach)

| manageryears3 = 2019–2021

| managerclubs3 = Uganda (U-20 Uganda Hippos)

| manageryears4 = 2021–2022

| managerclubs4 = KCCA FC

| manageryears5 = 2016–2021

| managerclubs5 = KCCA FC (Assistant Manager)

| manageryears6 = 2015–2016

| managerclubs6 = Uganda (Assistant Coach)

| manageryears7 = 20015–2016

| managerclubs7 = Simba FC

| manageryears9 = 2013–2016

| managerclubs9 = Club Victoria University

| manageryears10 = 2011-2012

| managerclubs10 = KCCA FC (Third assistant coach)

| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|African Cup of Nations finalist}} (with the Under 20 team)

{{Medal|Sport|Uganda Premier League winner}} (as Player)

{{Medal|Sport|Cecafa Club Championship Winner}}

}}

Morley Byekwaso is a Ugandan former football player and coach.

Playing career

Byekwaso's playing career began in the early 1990s as a ball boy for KCC FC now KCCA FC. Even as a ball boy, he started participating in the team's training sessions and KCCA FC later signed the then 15-year-old.{{Cite web |last=Zziwa |first=Hassan Badru |date=2021-07-21 |title=Byekwaso's career has come full circle |url=https://observer.ug/sports/70603-byekwaso-s-career-has-come-full-circle |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=The Observer - Uganda |language=en-gb}}{{Cite web |last=Nsimbe |first=John Vianney |date=2024-08-02 |title=Will Byekwaso be Villa's substantive coach? |url=https://observer.ug/index.php/sports/82040-will-byekwaso-be-villa-s-substantive-coach |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=The Observer - Uganda |language=en-gb}}

He was given an opportunity by the then assistant coach Mike Mutebi in 1995 and quickly established himself in the 3-4- 3 formation. He became a regular starter, with his main weapons being the left foot and excellent vision. He could also handle the physical nature of the opponents, and Byekwaso often passed the ball with assurance. Morley Byekwaso's versatility as a player, known for his two-footed skill that allowed him to play effectively on both wings and midfield.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-07 |title=Byekwaso, Ssozi and Mawa: Two-footed jacks of all trades |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/soccer/byekwaso-ssozi-and-mawa-two-footed-jacks-of-all-trades-3282608 |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Monitor |language=en}}

At the age of 18, he was handed his first national cap in the Uganda cranes team that drew 1–1 with Ethiopia in the Africa Cup of Nations qualification game. He joined SC Villa in 2002 and in his two-year spell at Villa Park, he won two league titles and one Cecafa Club Championship title. In 2005, he crossed to Rwanda and joined Atraco FC. He spent three seasons there, but the move also put an end to his Cranes career. In 2008, he returned to Uganda and moved to Express FC.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-06 |title=From back to front seat: Byekwaso raises his stock |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/score/from-back-to-front-seat-byekwaso-raises-his-stock--3313612 |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Monitor |language=en}}

Byekwaso was part of the team that participated in the 1999 All-Africa Games and the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations. After retiring from playing in 2008, Byekwaso transitioned into coaching.{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Independent |date=2020-11-23 |title=Uganda hippos face South Sudan in zonal qualifiers for Afcon U-20 |url=https://www.independent.co.ug/uganda-hippos-face-south-sudan-in-zonal-qualifiers-for-afcon-u-20/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=The Independent Uganda |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Can Morley Byekwaso fit in Mike Mutebi's shoes? |url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/sports/can-morley-byekwaso-fit-in-mike-mutebis-shoes-121555 |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=New Vision |language=en}}

Coaching career

His coaching career began at Lugazi United, where he gained early experience. He subsequently joined KCCA FC as an assistant coach under Matia Lule and Baker Mbowa, later serving as interim manager. He then moved to Club Victoria University, starting as an assistant before taking over as head coach.{{Cite web |last=Kyazze |first=Clive |date=2016-07-01 |title=Morley Byekwaso is new KCCA F.C Assistant Manager |url=https://kawowo.com/2016/07/01/morley-byekwaso-is-new-kcca-f-c-assistant-manager/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Kawowo Sports |language=en-US}}

Byekwaso's career has also taken him to Tanzania, where he managed Simba SC. He returned to KCCA FC as an assistant manager under Mike Mutebi and again served as interim manager before being appointed head coach.{{Cite web |date=2021-07-14 |title=Morley Byekwaso is new KCCA FC Manager - KCCA FC |url=https://www.kccafc.co.ug/morley-byekwaso-is-new-kcca-fc-manager/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Kaweru |first=Franklin |date=2019-02-07 |title=Byekwaso expects tough UPL second round |url=https://kawowo.com/2019/02/07/byekwaso-expects-tough-upl-second-round/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Kawowo Sports |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Isabirye |first=David |date=2021-07-14 |title=Byekwaso assumes full managerial role at KCCA Football Club |url=https://kawowo.com/2021/07/14/byekwaso-assumes-full-managerial-role-at-kcca-football-club/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Kawowo Sports |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Sports |first=Pulse |date=2023-04-10 |title=KCCA's Byekwaso wants players to take part of the blame for poor results |url=https://www.pulsesports.ug/football/story/kccas-byekwaso-wants-players-to-take-part-of-the-blame-for-poor-results-2023041011134171840 |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Pulse Sports Uganda |language=en}} He resigned from the position in April 2023{{Cite web |last=Kawalya |first=Brian |date=2023-04-16 |title=KCCA FC: Morley Byekwaso Resigns After Uganda Cup Exit |url=https://sportsnation.co.ug/2023/04/16/kcca-fc-morley-byekwaso-resigns-after-uganda-cup-exit/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Live from ground |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Why KCCA coach Morley Byekwaso resigned |url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/why-kcca-coach-morley-byekwaso-resigned-158335 |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=New Vision |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Kiyonga |first=Ismael |date=2023-04-16 |title=Why Byekwaso left his role as KCCA head coach |url=https://kawowo.com/2023/04/16/why-byekwaso-left-his-role-as-kcca-head-coach/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Kawowo Sports |language=en-US}} He also had a stint as the interim head coach of the Uganda national team.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-22 |title=Morley Byekwaso names final Ugandan squad for the CECAFA U18 Championship {{!}} The Touchline Sports |url=https://thetouchlinesports.com/morley-byekwaso-names-final-ugandan-squad-for-the-cecafa-u18s-championship/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Marsha |first=Ahmed |date=2023-10-09 |title=Coach Byekwaso names final squad for Mali, Zambia friendly games |url=https://www.fufa.co.ug/coach-byekwaso-names-final-squad-for-mali-zambia-friendly-games/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=FUFA: Federation of Uganda Football Associations |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Ngobi |first=Emmanuel |date=2023-10-10 |title=Byekwaso Unveils Final Team ahead of Friendly Match between Uganda, Mali, Zambia |url=https://nexusmedia.ug/byekwaso-unveils-final-team-ahead-of-friendly-match-between-uganda-mali-zambia/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Nexus Media |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Wandati |first=Michael |date=2023-10-04 |title=Byekwaso takes over as interim head coach for Uganda Cranes |url=https://www.dispatch.ug/2023/10/04/byekwaso-takes-over-as-interim-head-coach-for-uganda-cranes/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Kampala Dispatch |language=en-US}}

In 2019, Byekwaso led the Uganda U-20 national team to the final of the African Cup of Nations.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-06 |title=AFCON U20 FINAL: We are only fighting to become champions, Uganda Hippos Coach Byekwaso confident the boys will outsmart Ghana - Matooke Republic |url=https://www.matookerepublic.com/20210306/afcon-u20-final-we-are-only-be-fighting-to-become-champions-uganda-hippos-coach-byekwaso-confident-the-boys-will-outsmart-ghana/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |language=en-US}} As of 2024, he is the head coach of SC Villa.{{Cite web |title=SC Villa were so poor against CBE, says Morley Byekwaso |url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/sports/sc-villa-were-so-poor-against-cbe-says-morley-NV_194193 |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=New Vision |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Should SC Villa's Morley Byekwaso go or stay? |url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/sports/should-sc-villas-morley-byekwaso-go-or-stay-NV_198331 |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=New Vision |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Isabirye |first=David |date=2024-08-17 |title=SC Villa tactician Byekwaso unfazed about ball passing philosophy by Ethiopia's CBE |url=https://kawowo.com/2024/08/17/sc-villa-tactician-byekwaso-unfazed-about-ball-passing-philosophy-by-ethiopias-cbe/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Kawowo Sports |language=en-US}}

References