Uganda Cranes take on Rwanda

By Fred Kaweesi

International Friendly

Uganda v Rwanda (4 pm)

IF there is any tactician well qualified to pass judgement on just about anything about Ugandan and Rwandan football, it has to be Micho Sredojevic.

The Serbian has not only managed football institutions in both countries, but closely worked with players from both nations.

So it was worth listening to the Cranes tactician when he argued that today’s explosive friendly fixture between Uganda and Rwanda could be decided by his own marksman Emmanuel Okwi rather than the Ugandan born Meddie Kagere in the Amavubi ranks.

Not that Micho was being disrespectful to a striker that served him so well during his times as Rwanda coach.

The Serbian’s message was that in Okwi, he ‘adopted’ a player, a class above his Rwanda counterpart and with qualities that are hard to teach. 

“I would take Okwi on any day. He is class, a special player. Kagere is a good player, a Ugandan that grew up in Entebbe but Okwi is a better player and I hope he does well for us on Saturday,” Micho stated on Thursday marching into the friendly at Namboole Stadium that should allow him identify all weaknesses ahead of the CECAFA Challenge Cup that starts on November 27.

On Wednesday, the Cranes successfully dispatched a University select side with a 2-0 win but the result could not conceal the fact that Micho will need to fix the team’s midfield if the Cranes are to successfully defend their CECAFA title in Nairobi.

On the evidence of the friendly, it was clear that the team is likely to struggle in the absence of midfielders Hassan Wasswa and Denis Iguma —two players that previously offered an imposing presence in an area that is principally the engine of any side.

It will be interesting to see how KCCA’s Tom Matsiko and URA’s Oscar Agaba perform against Rwanda’s muscular midfield.

Over the years, including the previous meeting between the two sides that ended in a 2-2 draw in February, Rwanda have exhibited finesse and incisive movement on and off the ball, and Cranes ought to fall back when without possession.

The visitors are bound to territorially dominate the game, which means Micho will need to field the perfect group of players to strike a counter-balance particularly in midfield and defence.