Dhaira out to impress Micho

By Fred Kaweesi

International friendly

June 1

Libya v Uganda

June 8

Uganda v Liberia

June 15

Uganda v Angola

GEOFFREY Massa has been rested for Cranes’ high-profile friendly against Libya. So is Brian Umony due to injury.

First choice goalkeeper Dennis Onyango might also be ignored for the weekend fixture considering that he is suspended for the World Cup qualifier against Liberia.

On any day, the three omissions would spell some sort of mini-crisis for any manager, but certainly not for Multin Micho Sredojevic, who has decided to look at it as a grand opportunity of preparing decent replacements ahead of future World and Nations Cup assignments.

Abbey Dhaira and Robert Odongkara have both been challenged to prove who deserves to be considered as Onyango’s replacement in goal for the fixture on June 8.

Herman Wasswa and Henry Kisekka will likewise battle for the available attacking slots upfront where Emmanuel Okwi and Hamis Kiiza are the only recognisable strikers.

On the evidence of his previous sessions with the side at Namboole, Micho has stressed the need to maintain possession, impose a pressing game and play the ball early into the box to allow strikers space to harm the opposition.

It’s the sort of strategy that helped Kisekka blossom during his stint at URA FC and at Vietnam side Dong Nai, where he has scored 6 goals in 9 appearances.

On his day, Kisekka is irresistible and unplayable. The secret is how often any given coach can bring that day from the 6ft-plus forward whose physical frame also troubles the opposition.

Sometimes he is the one targeted by the opposition which gives his team-mates opportunities to score but he has often created chances all by himself.

The key is to get the ball to Kisekka as early as possible. He also has that anticipation of being in the right place at the right time.