Former Uganda Cranes defender Godfrey Walusimbi has made his retirement from football public knowledge.

Walusimbi immediately noted that he will be venturing into football management and coaching.

“I have resolved to officially retire from professional football as a player. I am extremely grateful for the experience, relationship, and exposure the game brought to me,” Walusimbi’s signed letter started.

“My walk of life has been made possible by many other factors and people behind the scenes to reach my self-actualization as a pro player.”

“My soccer career started way back in 2000 when I joined SC Villa as a youth player from Mpigi United, where years later had to secure a pro contract as a senior team player (Villa) in 2007.”

“So would like to appreciate my mother club Villa and all the other clubs that have given me exposure, Bunamwaya (Vipers), Don Bosco Congo, Gor Mahia Kenya, Kaizer Chiefs South Africa, Vilazania Albania thank you,” the letter added.

“FUFA Presidents, Mangers / Coaches of the national team and clubs, teammates for both clubs and national team, fans, friends, and family members thank you for making countless sacrifices and allowing me to leave my career for that long.”

“Realizing that I am at self-actualization I confidently confirm that I can’t miss playing football at all and straight away transition is going to be into football management and coaching,” he noted.

“Soccer will always be part of my walk of life and I can’t wait for the next transition and I am so excited to start the next challenge hope to approach it with the same determination I had as a player.”

Jjaja Walu as he is commonly known around the football circles of Uganda managed 105 appearances in the Uganda Cranes colours since 2009.

He was a fundamental figure on the team for a long period playing as a left-back.

Walusimbi was part of the Cranes squad that broke the jinx and qualified for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

It was the first time Uganda was making it to AFCON in 38 years that is since 1978.

After playing at the 2017 AFCON in Gabon, Walusimbi also returned to Egypt in 2019 as the Cranes made it two back-to-back qualifications.