“Thank you Minneapolis, I leave with gratitude”: Sendi says goodbye.
Following the conclusion of the 2022 Spring, Summer and Fall season for FC Minneapolis recently, the midfielder’s time in Minneapolis is now over, and he took to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter this morning to reflect on his City Lions career and thank those who have played a part in it.
“When I first left my home in Lungujja, a small township of Uganda, I didn’t know that my journey would lead me to this an unforgettable adventure of football that I have been on for the past ten years,” he wrote.
Ever since I landed on these shores, Minneapolis has been my home, and here I have made several
friends, been a part of great communities, and created very fond memories. I have played so many games, been to so many places, and met so many great players and coaches.
I have been a part of so many good moments that I will forever be very proud of. With that said, my life has also been far from perfect. As a growing player, I have made some mistakes some of which I am still paying for to this day, but throughout each mistake, I have learned valuable lessons that have prepared me for the next chapters of my life.
Today I leave this club, but my heart stays here. This City, this community, this club, these fans, and everyone here will forever be my family. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has supported me in my football journey, including my wife and family, my agent, the Ugandan FA, teammates and coaches, my Church community at Mills, and especially everyone at FC Minneapolis.
Thank you for all the support you have given me over the years. I couldn’t have come this far without all of you putting your arms around my shoulder every time I needed you. Thank you to all my coaches and teammates for giving me a chance to lead this club as team captain for the past three years. Wearing that armband and leading you through all those games has been one of the highest honors of my life.
Thank you also for all the times you criticized, edified, and corrected me. You kept me accountable and taught me not only to be a better player but also a better man on and off the field.
I would very much have wanted to stand before you to say my goodbyes face to face, but for now, allow me to just say them here. Thank you Minneapolis, I leave with gratitude.
We will be paying tribute to Sendi’s brilliant FC Minneapolis career tomorrow.
Coach David’s emotional farewell message to Sendi:
“It’s going to be hard to enter the dressing room without you. It’s going to be so difficult to not continue to share every day with you both on and off the field.
We’re going to miss you so much. We spent many years together, many friends, many games, and many trips. So many things we will never forget, all the time we spent together.
As your coach, it will be strange to see you in another shirt and much more to not have you on the training ground and in our games anymore.
Thank you for being an amazing Captain, a wonderful human being, and a dedicated player. You surely deserve a farewell that fits well with who you are: one of the most important players in the history of our club, and someone who has achieved great things for the team and on an individual level.
We wish you the very best in the next chapter of your life and your career.
Farewell Sendi!” David Oluwalaanu, Head Coach FC Minneapolis.
