Onduparaka Football Club’s Asuni Isaka Zua is aged 107 years, his the latest birthday celebrated on April 29th 2020.
The native of Arua in West Nile region currently stays alone in Ombaci village, Arua and is looked after by the Catholic Mission.
He is arguably the oldest football fan in Uganda, if not the entire CECAFA region.
Zua is as passionate, lively and strong as personalities half his age, often smiling for a well executed pass, move on and off the ball as well as cheering a goal scored.
In the same vein, he expresses agony when he sheds tears for a goal conceded and a match lost.
With football not played since March 17th 2020 because of the Coronavirus pandemic, Asuni is in a different world, in total darkness away from the joy that comes with the beautiful game.
It therefore goes without a saying, Asuni will be very delighted, like the rest of many Ugandans when football finally returns.
Asuni walks with the aid of a walking stick for stability but very strong and active.
He proudly cherishes Onduparaka Football Club to the brim and seldom misses a home game at the famous Green Light Stadium, unless otherwise.
He vividly recalls the efforts of the club’s former striker Muhammed ‘Jaggarson’ Shaban who worked tooth and nail to see the Caterpillars play in the 2016 Uganda Cup final as well as earning promotion to the StarTimes Uganda Premier League.
‘I am in love with Onduparaka Football Club and I watch matches religiously, especially those at home. I have never watched any away game but for homes games, I go to the Cafeteria in room 27 where they update me on away results, home fixtures and also offer me match day tickets’ he says.
‘I don’t think he can substitute us for any other team. He has the opportunity to do so but the fact that he has stuck by us oozes loyalty that we don’t take for granted’ – Mercy Munduru, Onduparaka’s head of Communication and Marketing
He is also a keen fan of the Uganda National Team, Uganda Cranes and would one day wish to travel to Mandela National Stadium to watch them live.
Internationally, he is an ardent fan of English Premier League club Manchester United with their former player Wayne Rooney as the hero.
Loyalty, courage, passion and zeal all packaged in one seal, Asuni has it all.
Ama Onduparaka!
Different generations: Asumi (extreme right) talks to other Onduparaka fans at the Green Light Stadium, Arua
Blow it loud: Asumi Isaka Zua with a Vuvuzela as he prepares to go and support his team at the Green Light stadium
Asumi Isaka Zua at his homestead in Arua. He loves Sorghum flour as his favourite food with organic Shea butter, Lodgbo and Anikani