By DENIS BBOSA

KAMPALA. Miguel Da Costa�s animations at the Vipers dug out will be no more.
A coach with an �obscure� football background, he guided Vipers to the Azam Uganda
Premier League (AUPL) title in his first full season but a hurting Uganda Cup final
loss, disastrous Cecafa campaign and an air of mistrust around the club have
combined to necessitate his exit.

The �eccentric� Portuguese saw this coming and by the time the club administrators
wielded the axe on Monday night, he had spared time to prophesize his exit.

Giving a hint
�This is the last press conference I have with you. Enjoy my friends,� he said
immediately after wrapping up the league title � never having time to shine in his
conquest.

Yet the club stuck with him in the just concluded Cecafa Clubs Tournament in
Tanzania where Vipers were eliminated at the quarterfinal stage by Gor Mahia after
struggling through the group.

Then came the statement from the club. �The Vipers management today as part of the
restructuring process and preparation for the Caf Club competition and upcoming
league season relieved Miguel Da Costa of his services,� read part of the club
communication seen by Daily Monitor.

Therein lies the cardinal �sin� the Portuguese committed � he was not entirely
trusted and well received by all at the club upon his arrival back in March 2017.

From a divided dressing room, a couple of league suspensions, missing a hand in the
club transfers to failing to propagate a tangible football philosophy at St Mary�s
Kitende � Da Costa was always living on borrowed time.

Some section of critics even doubted his coaching qualifications never mind him
asserting that he had roots from Porto.

Grateful man
�I want to thank club management, players, fans and technical team for their
support in the time I have been here. I�m happy to have won the league title during
this time,� he said early last month, leaving raised eyebrows as he made a hint of
his departure. The man known for his animated goal celebrations he added; �Some
people have misinterpreted my passion for football for other things. That�s me.�

A delighted Lawrence Mulindwa, the club patron, while unveiling Da Costa at

Kitende, tasked him to unearth new talent, market club players abroad and take
Vipers to continental levels � which the club feels proved a herculean task 17
months after.

Da Costa at a glance

Name: Miguel Jorge Da Costa Duarte

Age: 37
Nationality: Portuguese
Marital status: Married with a daughter
Studied: Occupation Therapy at university
Clubs played for and coached at:
Espinol and Porto
Qualifications: Uefa �B� license
Titles: Uganda Premier League 2017-2018
Appointed: March 7 2017
Sacked: July 17 2018