Over a fortnight after his deal with Egyptian side Cleopatra Ceramica FC was made official, Ugandan youngster Abasi Kyeyune is buzzing with excitement at the opportunity to showcase his talent and leave a lasting impression.
Kyeyune, who is set to make his debut with the club on October 17th against African powerhouse Al Ahly in the Egyptian Super Cup, hopes to make an immediate impact that will lay the foundation for future success.
“I didn’t come to Egypt for exploration; I came here to work and help Cleopatra Ceramica achieve its goals while developing myself as a player and a person,” the 19-year-old remarked in an exclusive interview with The Nerve Africa.
“It won’t be easy, but I want to make a positive start at the club. Hopefully, my debut will be against Al Ahly. These are the moments we work and pray for: to play against top opponents. It would be perfect to start, impress, and also help the team.”
“When you make a quick impact, it eases the pressure, so that’s my aim. In the end, throughout my time here, I want to make history with this club, to repay them for their faith,” added Kyeyune, speaking with clear enthusiasm.
Several Ugandan players, including Allan Okello, Travis Mutyaba, Sadam Juma, and Khalid Aucho, have failed to live up to expectations during their time in North Africa. However, Kyeyune isn’t concerned and doesn’t believe this will affect his own experience.
“I’ve come to write my own story at a club that has been good to me from the start. While many of my colleagues didn’t succeed in this part of Africa, I believe my time here will be different because the platform is set. It’s just a matter of execution,” he said.
“Of course, it’s always important to understand the situation and do some background work. My team (Prosper Sports Agency) took care of all that before we signed anything, so I feel confident.”
Kyeyune dreams of winning the Egyptian Premier League, a title that has eluded Cleopatra Ceramica throughout its 17-year history. “That’s the main goal for me and the team. We want to win the league, and the ambition is there. Last season, they won the League Cup, which laid the foundation for bigger achievements.”
“These are all valid dreams, not just fantasies. We want to compete at the highest level on the continent (CAF Champions League) and perform well. That’s our challenge, and we’re ready for it. Personally, I know that if I perform well here, I’ll eventually represent Uganda in the senior national team,” Kyeyune concluded confidently.
Meanwhile, Kyeyune is already a winner despite his young age. He was a crucial part of the SC Villa team that clinched the 2023/24 Uganda Premier League championship.
