Who will hunt Cranes’ goals in Guinea?
Mar 22, 2011
FOOTBALL is a straightforward game. Score more than your opponents and you’ll win It’s a simple philosophy that teams who play attacking football use as their daily mantra.
By FRED KAWEESI
FOOTBALL is a straightforward game. Score more than your opponents and you’ll win It’s a simple philosophy that teams who play attacking football use as their daily mantra.
It’s the sort of philosophy that Bobby Williamson’s Cranes might have to adopt on Saturday if they are to plunder that priceless away win over Guinea Bissau.
In Bissau, the temptation to be cautious will be there but sometimes you can be too cautious and play straight into the hands of the opposition –especially if that side is Guinea Bissau, whose style of play is attack and attack.
It’s is why Cranes will have to put away every chance that comes their way at the 20,000 Estadio 24 de Setembro.
For starters, Brian Umony has already been ruled out of the fixture.
The 25-year-old, who officially joined US club Portland Timbers last week, applied for a Major League Soccer (MLS) work permit with the help of his Ugandan passport.
He will only be able to reclaim it on Thursday, not enough time for him to travel for the game on Saturday.
“Emma Okwi has been invited in his place,†Cranes media officer Katende Malibu revealed yesterday.
It means Williamson will have four attacking players Okwi, David Obua, Geoffrey Massa and Geoffrey Sserunkuuma from which to identify who will suit his away strategy.
Although Williamson opted for a 4-5-1 formation away in Nairobi against Kenya, the Scot might be tempted to go with a 4-4-1-1 formation that will look to Obua as a lone front-man with the other forward Massa or Okwi playing just behind him.
Now, the ‘million dollar question’ is who, on the basis of form and style of play will support the big forward (Obua)?
Obua and Massa
Massa’s first touch is a problem. He is however fast and will give the team pace and power for 90 minutes. Cranes will need a character that irritates defenders with a shove here, an elbow there and the trickery to win a penalty.
Obua and Okwi
This is a goals combination. Okwi’s pace and eye for goal can be an asset for any team. He also runs through the channels brilliantly, a positive that can work alongside Obua, to open up any defence.
Obua and Sserunkuuma
Sserunkuuma has good statistics but playing him alongside Obua would create a flat line. None of them is fast.
FOOTBALL is a straightforward game. Score more than your opponents and you’ll win It’s a simple philosophy that teams who play attacking football use as their daily mantra.
It’s the sort of philosophy that Bobby Williamson’s Cranes might have to adopt on Saturday if they are to plunder that priceless away win over Guinea Bissau.
In Bissau, the temptation to be cautious will be there but sometimes you can be too cautious and play straight into the hands of the opposition –especially if that side is Guinea Bissau, whose style of play is attack and attack.
It’s is why Cranes will have to put away every chance that comes their way at the 20,000 Estadio 24 de Setembro.
For starters, Brian Umony has already been ruled out of the fixture.
The 25-year-old, who officially joined US club Portland Timbers last week, applied for a Major League Soccer (MLS) work permit with the help of his Ugandan passport.
He will only be able to reclaim it on Thursday, not enough time for him to travel for the game on Saturday.
“Emma Okwi has been invited in his place,†Cranes media officer Katende Malibu revealed yesterday.
It means Williamson will have four attacking players Okwi, David Obua, Geoffrey Massa and Geoffrey Sserunkuuma from which to identify who will suit his away strategy.
Although Williamson opted for a 4-5-1 formation away in Nairobi against Kenya, the Scot might be tempted to go with a 4-4-1-1 formation that will look to Obua as a lone front-man with the other forward Massa or Okwi playing just behind him.
Now, the ‘million dollar question’ is who, on the basis of form and style of play will support the big forward (Obua)?
Obua and Massa
Massa’s first touch is a problem. He is however fast and will give the team pace and power for 90 minutes. Cranes will need a character that irritates defenders with a shove here, an elbow there and the trickery to win a penalty.
Obua and Okwi
This is a goals combination. Okwi’s pace and eye for goal can be an asset for any team. He also runs through the channels brilliantly, a positive that can work alongside Obua, to open up any defence.
Obua and Sserunkuuma
Sserunkuuma has good statistics but playing him alongside Obua would create a flat line. None of them is fast.