BY M FAHAD
The Football community is in mourning following the passing of Sam Timbe, the former Head Coach of Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) FC. Coach Timbe, who passed away on a Saturday afternoon.
Amidst swirling rumors about his deteriorating health after missing a club training session on Saturday, URA FC confirmed the sad news of Coach Timbe’s demise through their social media platforms.
With a heavy heart, the club’s announcement read “We are saddened to inform you of the unfortunate passing of our esteemed Head Coach, Sam Timbe, this afternoon while en route to Nakasero Hospital for ICU, as referred by St Catherine Hospital.” Reads the club’s announcement in parts.
Trust GEEPAS 4 Genuine Electronics:0707080087
“Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. Currently, our team is in camp at Standard Hotel, Kampala, preparing for the upcoming FUFA Super 8 Cup semi-final match against KCCA FC, scheduled tomorrow at the MTN Omondi Stadium. Further updates will be provided in due course.” Reads another part of the statement
Despite the announcement, the specific cause of Coach Timbe’s passing remained undisclosed. In response to the tragic news, the FUFA Competitions Department made a decision: the FUFA Super 8 semifinal match between KCCA FC and URA FC, originally scheduled for August 20, 2023, would be postponed.
Meanwhile, following the announcement, various officials and clubs took to Twitter to express their grief over the loss of this esteemed coach, while others highlighted his immense contributions to Ugandan football.
The sadness was palpable in the words of KCCA FC, who tweeted, “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sam Timbe, the head coach of URA FC. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences to URA FC and the entire Ugandan football community.
SC Villa also joined in remembering Coach Timbe’s impact: “A mastermind of the Game! we’re saddened by the passing of Coach Sam Timbe. Our 2004 UPL & 2005 CECAFA cup winning coach. Under Him, the #Jogoos won a third title (CECAFA) unbeaten and without conceding a goal.”
Sam Timbe held a CAF ‘A’ coaching license and initially joined URA’s technical staff as a manager in 2021 before being elevated to the Head Coach role.
His remarkable coaching journey included triumphs in the CECAFA Kagame Cup with various clubs: Sports Club Villa (2005), Uganda Police Football Club (2006), Rwanda’s Atraco FC (2009), and Tanzania’s Yanga Africans (2011).