Football commentary is an art that involves using poetry, analysis and play descriptions to deliver a verbal narrative of a live sports game or broadcast to listeners and viewers respectively.
Many people around the world do sports commentary with some choosing to specialize in a certain sport like football, rugby, athletics, to mention few and are earning a living through this craft that we can conclusively regard as a job.
Jermaine Egesa is a Ugandan who has gained fame in the last few years as a result of his superb sports commentary. His talent has earned him a call to commentate games at over three continental competitions since 2023.He is a show host and commentator at NBS Sport,a 24-hour Sports Channel. Ugandans Online had an opportunity to interact with him in an interview.
Excerpts;
Will you be one of the commentators of the forthcoming 2024 CHAN Tournament?
Yes, I am.
How many matches will you work on as a commentator?
I will handle most of the games at the Mandela National Stadium. Each Stadium will have an English and French commentator but that’s as much as I can say.
What do you have to say about getting this opportunity again?
As always a massive honour and a privilege to be chosen to serve the beautiful game.Am grateful to once again be selected to call the games, but even more proud that I get to do it on home soil this time.
What has been your experience of doing commentary at the past Continental Competitions where you were invited?
A proper learning experience. Commentating on the English World Feed, the demands are always high, the stakes astronomical and you simply have to hit a home-run each time. That calls for extensive research and prep, plenty of consultation and taking in positive criticism to elevate your craft. So yes, I always leave each tournament richer for experience and expertise and looking forward to leveling up.
Your take on East Africa having an opportunity to host competitions like CHAN and AFCON.
For me,it speaks volumes about CAF’s commitment to be all inclusive and develop the game in every corner of the Continent. It is also a commendation to the F.As of East Africa for coming together to host the continent, the demands as always so many but the benefits will be reaped for years to come & a chance to showcase “Our Game” and more of our beautiful corner of the World.
When did you start doing sports commentary? How many Continental Competitions have you worked for as a commentator so far? Please give a brief Historical background.
2011, Nile Basin Tournament at Magic 100Fm.Then did alot more of the Premier League and European Champions League. In about 2015-2016, I was invited as an independent contractor to commentate Boxing Fights and Motocross by Urban TV, which expanded my repertoire. In 2021, I signed up with Next Media to commentate the StarTimes Uganda Premier League and took on more sports like Athletics, Volleyball, Boxing and eventually Rugby when NBS Sport took off in 2022.
2023, I got my first CAF call up to do CHAN 2022 in Algeria. 2024 I was called on to do AFCON in Ivory Coast. I was also selected to commentate the U-15 African Schools Continental Championship Finals in Zanzibar. And back home we hosted the Rugby Africa Cup 2024 which I also commentated making it 3 Continental tournaments in one year.
2025, saw my first Continental club tournament call up as I commentated the finals of the CAF Confederations Cup 2nd Leg in Zanzibar, just completed the Rugby Africa Cup 2025 and World Cup 2027 Qualifier between Namibia & UAE last Month and up next is CHAN 2024.I am excited.
What is your message to all Ugandans about the forthcoming CHAN Competition?
It’s a beautiful time to be alive as a Ugandan Sports Fan with all these events and tournaments happening here at home. We as Ugandans tend to disagree on political ideologies, religion, ethnicity and the like but are always united in support for our national teams and our unmatched hospitality! So go out there, cheer for the boys like your life depends on it. I know they will be depending on you all to bring the vibe and make some wonderful lasting memories!
Please leave some encouraging words for other football commentators,those already in the game and those aspiring.
First of all, gratitude to all that help bring the game alive and tell the stories of our football.You all have helped shape an industry in the football ecosystem that we all are thriving in, Asante.Now, let’s elevate the craft, up the professionalism and let the Continent and the world beyond know what i believe hat on top of good ballers and top notch referees, Uganda is the hotbed of the finest breed of commentators who are ready to step up given the opportunity.
