)
The 44-year-old, who joined the struggling club in October with the arduous task of ensuring Blacks Power avoid relegation, seems to have his work cut out with each passing game.
The saying it's never over until it's over; is precisely what keeps ringing at the back of Blacks Power FC head coach Hussien Mbalangu's mind each day he wakes up to train his team.
The 44-year-old, who joined the struggling club in October with the arduous task of ensuring Blacks Power avoid relegation, seems to have his work cut out with each passing game.
The 3-1 loss away to Soltilo Bright Stars on Friday sent Mbalangu's charges further down the log to 14th on 12 points after 17 games, but the tough-talking gaffer says everyone on the team knows survival is the target.
"After the loss to Soltilo Bright Stars, I reminded the players that we are all in this; we lose and win together as a team, so they know my target remains to survive the drop," Mbalangu told Pulse Sports.
The Lira-based side has also shipped in a second league-high 27 goals, which Mbalangu says they had tried to solve, but the problem seems to have resurfaced.
"When I came to the club, I tried to avoid conceding, but it looks like we are returning to old ways. The communication between the defence and goalkeeper needs to be improved," he noted.
The tactician also threw weight behind his January signing of Vitalis Tabu and Robert Eseru which he believes can spur the side on especially in their fight for survival.
"We brought in a few new faces like Eseru and Tabu, and when they are match fit, they will be able to help, especially Tabu because he brings creativity and maturity,” Mbalangu said.
Eseru scored Blacks Powers’ goal against Bright Stars at Kavumba, levelling the tie in the 69th minute, to give his side hope, before Bright Stars ran away with it through Kaka Omony’s second goal of the game and Sam Ssenyonjo’s late strike.
Next up for Mbalanga's charges in two weeks is a home game against Wakiso Giants FC on March 20. Blacks Power will aim to make amends for their Stanbic Uganda Cup defeat to the Purple Sharks.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)