‘Niger were hired men’ - Cranes coach
Oct 10, 2006
CRANES’ dressing room at the Stade Gal Seyni Kountche stadium in Niamey on Sunday night was a mixture of joy and tears. If events on the pitch looked puzzling to whoever watched the game, it soon became clear when FUFA officials learnt that one of the teams in our group bankrolled the Niger campai
By Henry Katamba
in Niamey, Niger
CRANES’ dressing room at the Stade Gal Seyni Kountche stadium in Niamey on Sunday night was a mixture of joy and tears. If events on the pitch looked puzzling to whoever watched the game, it soon became clear when FUFA officials learnt that one of the teams in our group bankrolled the Niger campaign for the Uganda match.
An insider here revealed that Niger’s entire preparations were funded by a ‘friendly’ country. Niger were given a single assignment: ‘Whatever it takes or costs, beat Uganda.’
“Someone has finally explained to us why all this happened,†a Ugandan soccer official said yesterday.
Cranes players were reeling with anger after being frustrated by the leading contender for ‘worst soccer referee’ title in Africa.
Senegalese FIFA referee Abdaul Diouf dished out yellow cards for fun, ruled every Cranes move on the wing for offside, ignored all fouls committed by the home side, including one that should have been a penalty.
A tearful Geoffrey Massa could not hold his frustration at being booked and said: “It’s a pity I am going to miss the Nigerian game which I have been dreaming about.â€
Team captain Timothy Batabaire also got booked in unclear circumstances. “We must work hard against Nigeria in Lagos to stop this west African refereeing conspiracy,†he observed.
Cranes coach Lazslo Csaba (above) was relived. “I told my players at half time to ignore the referees completely and know that we were playing against a team of 13 players.â€
He moaned Ibrahim Sekagya’s absence: “Sekagya would have turned this game in our favour because he normally moves out of the defence a little bit as oppossed to Batabaire and Mweisgwa.â€
Meanwhile, Sekagya phoned soon after the final whistle on Sunday, claiming he missed his flight to West Africa on Friday adds James Bakama and Fred Kaweesi.
“He called me after the game saying he was very sorry,†said FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa.
Sekagya’s travel, which the player says involves internal flights in Argentina, cost the federation $3,700 (sh 6.8m).
Sekagya played for his club Arsenal de Sarandi in the Argentine league on Saturday.
“The executive will get his explanation before deciding on whether to refer the issue to the disciplinary committee,†said FUFA media committee chairman Rogers Mulindwa.
Mulindwa has meanwhile urged Ugandans to turn up in big numbers to welcome Cranes.
The team returns at 9.30am tomorrow aboard Kenya Airways. “FUFA is very impressed by their performance (0-0 draw) especially, considering the harassment they persevered,†said Mulindwa.
Robert Sejjemba and Nestroy Kizito returned to their clubs in the US and Serbia after the match. David Obua, Timothy Batabaire and Dennis Onyango will connect to South African an hour after arrival.
After two rounds of matches, Cranes are well placed to qualify for the 2008 Nations Cup as second best finishers according to stansings of the respective qualification groups. The other teams are South Africa and Eritrea.
NATIONS CUP HISTORY
1962 4th
1968 Rd1
1974 Rd1
1976 Rd1
1978 2nd
Best performance
1978 Ghana
* Reached final against Ghana. Lost 2-0.
* Phillip Omondi was the top scorer of the Ghana Nations Cup tournament with 4 goals.
* Coach - Peter Okee
* Manager - Bidand Ssali
in Niamey, Niger
CRANES’ dressing room at the Stade Gal Seyni Kountche stadium in Niamey on Sunday night was a mixture of joy and tears. If events on the pitch looked puzzling to whoever watched the game, it soon became clear when FUFA officials learnt that one of the teams in our group bankrolled the Niger campaign for the Uganda match.
An insider here revealed that Niger’s entire preparations were funded by a ‘friendly’ country. Niger were given a single assignment: ‘Whatever it takes or costs, beat Uganda.’
“Someone has finally explained to us why all this happened,†a Ugandan soccer official said yesterday.
Cranes players were reeling with anger after being frustrated by the leading contender for ‘worst soccer referee’ title in Africa.
Senegalese FIFA referee Abdaul Diouf dished out yellow cards for fun, ruled every Cranes move on the wing for offside, ignored all fouls committed by the home side, including one that should have been a penalty.
A tearful Geoffrey Massa could not hold his frustration at being booked and said: “It’s a pity I am going to miss the Nigerian game which I have been dreaming about.â€
Team captain Timothy Batabaire also got booked in unclear circumstances. “We must work hard against Nigeria in Lagos to stop this west African refereeing conspiracy,†he observed.
Cranes coach Lazslo Csaba (above) was relived. “I told my players at half time to ignore the referees completely and know that we were playing against a team of 13 players.â€
He moaned Ibrahim Sekagya’s absence: “Sekagya would have turned this game in our favour because he normally moves out of the defence a little bit as oppossed to Batabaire and Mweisgwa.â€
Meanwhile, Sekagya phoned soon after the final whistle on Sunday, claiming he missed his flight to West Africa on Friday adds James Bakama and Fred Kaweesi.
“He called me after the game saying he was very sorry,†said FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa.
Sekagya’s travel, which the player says involves internal flights in Argentina, cost the federation $3,700 (sh 6.8m).
Sekagya played for his club Arsenal de Sarandi in the Argentine league on Saturday.
“The executive will get his explanation before deciding on whether to refer the issue to the disciplinary committee,†said FUFA media committee chairman Rogers Mulindwa.
Mulindwa has meanwhile urged Ugandans to turn up in big numbers to welcome Cranes.
The team returns at 9.30am tomorrow aboard Kenya Airways. “FUFA is very impressed by their performance (0-0 draw) especially, considering the harassment they persevered,†said Mulindwa.
Robert Sejjemba and Nestroy Kizito returned to their clubs in the US and Serbia after the match. David Obua, Timothy Batabaire and Dennis Onyango will connect to South African an hour after arrival.
After two rounds of matches, Cranes are well placed to qualify for the 2008 Nations Cup as second best finishers according to stansings of the respective qualification groups. The other teams are South Africa and Eritrea.
NATIONS CUP HISTORY
1962 4th
1968 Rd1
1974 Rd1
1976 Rd1
1978 2nd
Best performance
1978 Ghana
* Reached final against Ghana. Lost 2-0.
* Phillip Omondi was the top scorer of the Ghana Nations Cup tournament with 4 goals.
* Coach - Peter Okee
* Manager - Bidand Ssali