Micho faces selection dilemma

By Fred Kaweesi

TODAY

2014 World Cup Qualifier

Uganda v Liberia (4pm)

JUST hours before Uganda Cranes confront Liberia in  cracking World Cup qualifier, coach Multin Micho Sredojevic finds himself with two vital teasers to resolve.

The Serbian is still undecided on whether to stick with a back-four of Denis Iguma, Andrew Mwesigwa, Henry Kalungi and Godfrey Walusimbi or reshuffle Kalungi with Isaac Isinde.

Micho is also yet to decide on whom among the attacking trio of Martin Mutumba, Luwagga Kizito and Said Kyeyune will offer the perfect counterbalance on the left. 

Interestingly Joseph Mpande also entered the picture yesterday as contender for the same position.

Walusimbi is likely to start at left-back. In the unlikely event that Walusimbi is ignored, Joseph Ochaya could be considered.

In central defence, Isinde has gathered immeasurable experience competing in several international tournaments such as CECAFA, and doubts as to whether his 5’ 8” frame will counter Liberia’s gangly forwards are erased by the fact that he has been a fundamental figure in St. George’s historic progress to the group stages of the CAF Confederations Cup.

Iguma has started at right back in Cranes’ previous assignments but as his outing in the CECAFA Challenge Cup proved, he is clearly tailored as a centre-half rather than a full-back.

He is not as offensive minded as Nicholas Wadada but his experience gives him an edge over the Vipers right-back.

As of yesterday, Micho was impressed with the fitness levels of Tony Mawejje and Godfrey Kizito — two candidates likely to start in a conventional midfield.

This means Hassan Wasswa could start on the bench.

Moses Oloya is the undisputed choice on the right-hand side of midfield but it’s the opposite flank that has given the Serb quite a dilemma.

Does Micho opt for URA FC winger Kyeyune, who is extremely promising but short on experience, or throw a dice to choose between Mutumba and Luwagga — two improved players that have been remarkable at their respective clubs in Sweden and Portugal?

Mutumba has worked so hard and impressed at AIK Stockholm but so has Luwagga at Portuguese side Leixoes, where he scooped the club’s player of the season award.

Kyeyune is fast, intelligent and his penetrative runs are a nightmare for any full-back. On the other hand, Mutumba has a box of trickery while Luwagga will guarantee well-weighted crosses into the box.

Already, there has been enough to suggest that Geoffrey Massa could start alongside Emmanuel Okwi up front with Hamis Kizza and Dan Sserunkuuma waiting in the wings.

“The competition for places is really there but it will be up to the coach to decide on who starts. All I can say, is that every one player here is really fired up for the game,” Massa pointed yesterday.

In March, both Massa and Okwi started in Monrovia and were neutralised in the 2-0 defeat to the Lone Stars. 

“Of course, we will need to defend well but the most important area for us will be passing the ball better in midfield and releasing it faster or early behind the Liberian defence,” Massa pointed early this week.