Former Cranes player Mike Azira lands huge managerial spot

Former Uganda Cranes midfielder Mike Azira has landed a very big role as a manager. Azira was this week appointed the coach of American side Mississippi Brilla FC.

Mike Azira last year retired from professional football. He then turned to coaching as his new career.

At Mississippi Brilla FC, he replaces Matt Horth who has been the head coach. While speaking about his appointment, Azira expressed his gratitude to the club for entrusting him with such a huge responsibility.

“I am thankful to be back at Brilla because you know, it has played a big role in my life. Mostly in my journey. We had a great time here but mostly you know, it helped me to define myself between who I am. We play soccer but at the end of the day, we are more than soccer players. It’s really great to be back here and serve the community and bring value to the kids and also learn something as well.”

“I am here to serve and help the kids reach their potential as well as help the team win the championship.” Azira said in an interview

This is not his first stint as a coach. Recently he acted as Blue Mountain College head coach of an upcoming National Association of intercollegiate Athletics program in Mississippi.

Michael Azira of Uganda during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Uganda and Senegal at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

It should be recalled that Azira played for Mississippi Brillla FC between 2010-11. He also featured for the likes of Charleston Battery, Seattle Sounders, Colorado Rapids, Chicago Fire and New Mexico United in his career.

In 2021, he received American citizenship by neutralization. He featured for the Cranes in the 2017 and 2019 AFCON editions in Guinea and Egypt respectively.