MONDAY SPORT OPINION

By James Lwanga

SENIOR SUB-EDITOR

THE Cranes and Bobby Williamson gave us something to smile and talk about after Uganda trounced Angola 3-0 in an African Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday.

It is not that Ugandans have nothing else that makes them happy but such a vital win comes with good feeling bearing in mind the current chaotic scenes on the country’s political scene.

After giving the country all the hope that the Cranes will qualify for the African Cup of Nations finals, my prayer is that FUFA will not ‘connive’ with the national team sponsor to let down Williamson, his players and the millions of Ugandans who love the game of football. Afterall the sponsor is just a phone call away. In the past we have had situations where the national team has depended on well wishers.

But with sh1.4 billion shillings secured in corporate sponsorship, I hope the deal will not only stop at providing mineral water and branded vests for training in addition to placing banners in strategic places during Uganda Cranes matches.

The Cranes need more than branded vests to qualify for the Nations Cup. This is where issues like players’ welfare and proper travel arrangements come in. At this point I want to believe that a competent travel agent has been identified and is about to be paid from the sh1.4 billion shillings to handle the Cranes foreign travel.

I hope the Cranes team manager Crispus Muyinda and his players will be smiling all the way to the 2012 finals.