James Bakama: I SAY SO

THERE couldn’t be a better start to Uganda’s African Cup of Nations Cup campaign. A 3-0 defeat of a better prepared Angola was a bold statement about Uganda’s potential.

The Cranes put up a spirited show and at the end of the day, Angola, who were fresh from a build-up in Portugal, must have wondered what had hit them.

But it is still too early to chest thump. Besides, haven’t we always started off with wins? It is time we woke up to the fact that the bigger task lies in our next engagements.

For starters, I hope that FUFA’s technical wing is now aware that qualification takes more than merely winning all your home matches.

Meticulous planning is needed to ensure that all requirements for the entire campaign are covered well in advance. We shall not qualify if for instance our foreign based players are kept guessing about their travel.

It is also important to know well in advance who will cater for what. Does FUFA for instance have the money to support the entire campaign or is government’s intervention required?

It would also be interesting to know how far the AFCON 2012 committee has gone in mobilising funds for the campaign.

Isn’t it also time we knew the corporate sponsors’ stake in this campaign? FUFA recently announced a sh1.4bn four-year national team sponsorship. Can this money for instance be converted to the team’s travel or allowances?

The most important thing about a campaign is not branding, advertisement, promotions or provision of uniforms but basics like the team’s travel, proper accommodation, training and timely allowances and bonuses.

Back to the team. Our players were definitely brilliant on Saturday. They were fast, confident on the ball and determined.

But despite this athleticism, our performance again glaringly showed that we still lack an organised format of play. The Cranes still struggle to string five uninterrupted passes. I would suggest some more friendlies to help the team gel.

Lastly but not least, our qualification will also depend on team-work amongst all stake holders. We last featured in the finals in 1978. Much as Uganda has thereafter always had strong teams, we have never made it to the finals. Reason: sabotage.

You have certainly not forgotten the qualifiers for the 1992 finals when SC Villa players boycotted the national team.

What about recent reports of certain individuals convincing key players not to honour matches?.

I think it is time the treason charge was also extended to national team saboteurs.