Ibrahim Sekagya (born 19 December 1980) is a Ugandan former professional footballer who played as a centre back. He is currently an assistant coach for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.
Club career Born in Kawempe Kampala, as a boy, Sekagya started out his career playing on a bare surfaced pitch at Kawempe commonly known as 'kataka' before attending Kibuli Secondary School and later joining State House. Sekagya started his senior career with local giants Kampala City Council in 1992, before moving to Argentina in 1998 to try to make a career in football. His first Argentine club was Atlético de Rafaela in the Primera B Nacional. In 2002, he moved to Ferro Carril Oeste in the Primera B Metropolitana, subsequently helping the team to win the league and secure promotion to the Primera B Nacional. In 2005, he was signed by Arsenal de Sarandí of the Argentine Primera División, where he spent two seasons.
In June 2007, Sekagya signed a three-year contract with Red Bull Salzburg, the then current champions of the Austrian Bundesliga. He made his Bundesliga debut on 11 July 2007 in Salzburg's 4–1 win against Rheindorf Altach and scored his first league goal on 22 July 2007 to secure Salzburg a 2–2 away draw at Austria Wien. He quickly established himself as a regular with the club and finished his first season with 34 Bundesliga appearances to his name, scoring three goals in the league. In his six seasons at the club Sekagya appeared in 165 league matches and scored 6 goals. During this time he helped the club capture three Austrian Bundesliga titles and one Austrian Cup.
On 11 July 2013, Sekagya joined MLS side New York Red Bulls on a free transfer, following his departure from sister club Red Bull Salzburg. On 4 August 2013 Sekagya made his debut for New York starting as a defensive midfielder in a 3–2 victory over Sporting Kansas City. On 27 October 2013, Sekagya scored the go ahead goal in the last game of the season against the Chicago Fire at Red Bull Arena to help his team to a 5–2 victory and become champions of the regular season. It was the club's first major trophy in their 17-year history. However, Sekagya's giveaway led to an equalizer in Houston's 2–1 victory that knocked New York out of the 2013 MLS Cup Playoffs. During the 2014 season Sekagya became a regular starter for New York helping the club reach the MLS Cup playoffs. Sekagya retired from professional football in early 2015.
International career Sekagya also played for the Ugandan national football team where he was the team's captain. He made 8 appearances and scored one goal in their qualifying campaign for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, as well as 3 appearances and a goal in the qualifiers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Coaching career Following his retirement, Sekagya joined the coaching staff of the New York Red Bulls. On 2 July 2022, Sekagya was named interim head coach for the Red Bulls' USL Championship side, New York Red Bulls II.
Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAtlético Rafaela2001–02Primera B Nacional382 382Ferro Carril Oeste2002–03Primera B Metropolitana302 3022003–04Primera B Metropolitana342 3422004–05Primera B Metropolitana320 320Total964 964Arsenal de Sarandí2005–06Primera División291 2912006–07Primera División331 331Total622 622Red Bull Salzburg2007–08Austrian Bundesliga3430050—3932008–09Austrian Bundesliga3412161—4232009–10Austrian Bundesliga24021110—3712010–11Austrian Bundesliga30010120—4302011–12Austrian Bundesliga26141111—4132012–13Austrian Bundesliga1713110—212Total16561244620022312New York Red Bulls2013Major League Soccer82——201022014Major League Soccer250100050310Total332100070412Total394161347046246022
International Scores and results list Uganda's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Sekagya goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Ibrahim SekagyaNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition16 June 2004Nelson Mandela National Stadium, Kampala, Uganda1–01–02006 FIFA World Cup qualification22 June 2007Nelson Mandela National Stadium, Kampala, Uganda2–12–1Africa Cup qualification331 May 2008Nelson Mandela National Stadium, Kampala, Uganda1–01–02010 FIFA World Cup qualification
Honours Ferro Primera B Metropolitana: 2002–03
RB Salzburg Austrian Football Bundesliga: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2011–12 Austrian Cup: 2012
New York Red Bulls MLS Supporters' Shield: 2013
References
External links
Ibrahim Sekagya at Football Lineups
Guardian Football Stats