Famously known to football fans as “Muyizzi Tasubwa” (the hunter who never misses), Farouk Miya has earned his place among Uganda’s most celebrated footballers.
At 28, Miya is Uganda Cranes’ third-highest all-time leading scorer with 24 goals, behind only Majid Musisi (35 goals) and Emmanuel Okwi (28 goals). His career has taken him across Europe and Asia, but he says one of the experiences that shaped his confidence came from playing in the Airtel Masaza Cup.
Many Ugandans remember Miya for scoring the decisive goal against Comoros that ended Uganda’s 39-year wait for qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2017. For him, that moment was built on lessons learned years earlier while representing Mawokota FC in the Masaza Cup.
Miya says playing before thousands of passionate supporters in the tournament gave him the confidence to perform under pressure — a skill he later carried onto the international stage.
“Playing before thousands of passionate fans in the Masaza Cup prepared me for the national team. The atmosphere is unique because supporters come in numbers and are deeply loyal to their counties. That experience gave me confidence to deliver results in front of big crowds,” Miya says.
Born in Kampala to Aisha Mutesi, a matron at Kyambogo University, and the late Yusuf Muhammad, Miya’s football journey began after his talent caught the attention of Dr Eddie Butindo, a lecturer at Kyambogo University and a friend of his mother.
While coaching the Kyambogo University women’s football team, Butindo invited the young Miya to train with the team for fun. Impressed by his ability, he later introduced him to the Kampala Kids League while Miya was still a pupil at Gombe Primary School.
Although his talent was evident from an early age, Miya says football was not initially his main focus.
“I always played football for fun, but people kept telling me I had talent. My father was a lecturer and always encouraged me to concentrate on my books rather than football,” he recalls.
Butindo later helped Miya join Gombe Secondary School before moving him to Bulo Parents Secondary School in Butambala, where his performance against St Mary’s Secondary School Kitende during the Buganda Schools Championship earned him recognition.
That display eventually opened the door for him to join Kitende while in Senior Three.
At Kitende, Miya found himself competing alongside established players, including captain Eddie Mubiru. However, his ability to play multiple positions helped him break into the first team.
“I could play as an attacking midfielder, winger, number ten, holding midfielder, and even in defence. That flexibility helped me break into the first team,” he says.
While at Kitende, coach Edward Golola, who had also been appointed head coach of Mawokota FC, invited him to join the team for the Masaza Cup tournament.
Initially hesitant because of his academic commitments, Miya accepted the opportunity. Due to school demands, he would leave campus shortly before matches, train with the team, play and return immediately after games.
The decision paid off as Mawokota reached the final against Ssingo, where Miya scored a dramatic late free-kick winner to secure a historic 1-0 victory at Nakivubo Stadium in front of a packed crowd, including the Kabaka of Buganda.
“That victory still feels fresh. Scoring the winning goal against Ssingo in the presence of the Kabaka was unforgettable. Getting the chance to shake his hand while receiving my medal remains one of the proudest moments of my career,” he says.
After his Masaza Cup success, Miya returned to Kitende and helped the school win back-to-back Copa Coca-Cola National Schools Championships in 2012 and 2013.
His performances later earned him promotion to Vipers SC during his Senior Six vacation. In his first season, he helped the club win an unbeaten league title, scored 11 goals, provided seven assists and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player.
The breakthrough earned him a place in the Uganda Cranes team and a record US$400,000 transfer to Belgian side Standard Liege.
Miya believes the biggest reward from the Masaza Cup was not the trophy but the mental preparation it provided.
“Some players have the talent and quality but find it difficult to handle the pressure that comes with playing for the national team. The Masaza Cup helped me overcome that fear,” he says.
The forward went on to feature for clubs including Royal Excel Mouscron in Belgium, Sabail FK in Azerbaijan, FC Lviv in Ukraine, Konyaspor and Caykur Rizespor in Turkey, and Ilioupoli FC in Greece.
He also credits youth development platforms such as Airtel Rising Stars and the Masaza Cup for providing opportunities that exposed him to competitive football at an early stage.
Miya believes the Masaza Cup remains an important pathway for developing football talent in Uganda, with many players progressing to the Uganda Premier League and national teams.
“If matches are broadcast live, more fans will support the game and more young players will be inspired to dream big,” he says.
As he prepares for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations campaign following his return to Vipers SC after a decade away, Miya says the confidence he gained from playing in front of large Masaza Cup crowds remains an important part of his career.
He encourages young footballers to remain disciplined, work hard and believe in their ability, saying success begins with confidence and commitment.