Bobby detonates Cranes bombshell

Feb 16, 2011

CRANES coach Robert Williamson has ruled out any home based player from the Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Guinea Bissau next month.

By SWALLEY KENYI

2012 Nations Cup qualifier
March 26:
G. Bissau v Uganda

CRANES coach Robert Williamson has ruled out any home based player from the Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Guinea Bissau next month.

Cranes play away against the West African country on March 26 and Williamson has said he does not expect to name more than one locally based player on the squad that will be summoned soon.

That probably explains why the team will not regroup for the match until just a week to the trip.

The Scot said this while addressing the weekly FUFA press conference at Mengo yesterday.

Williamson, backed by FUFA vice president Livingstone Kyambadde and technical director Asuman Lubowa, blamed the Cranes early exit at the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) finals on the poor quality of the national league. The CHAN tournament has been his worst since taking up the job in 2008.

Uganda was bundled out of the second edition of the championship at the group stage after losing to Algeria, hosts Sudan and then a formality game against Gabon.

“Don’t look at this as doom and gloom. If we qualify again the story will be different,” Williamson explained.
“But none of the (CHAN) players will be there against Guinea Bissau. If they are lucky, maybe one player.”

Asked what criteria he will use to summon professional players, he said that he will only rely on their promise to deliver on the pitch.

This is after FUFA’s earlier plan to have the coach travel to assess those playing on foreign soil failed.

Williamson, who hitherto was supportive of many Ugandan players turning professional, said that a number of his players opting for professional careers at short notice also contributed to the poor show in Sudan.

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