Cranes can make it but..

FRED KAWEESI

Nations Cup qualifier
Sunday
Lesotho v Uganda

POLLY Ouma is well qualified to pass judgment on just about anything on Ugandan football.

After all, he was not only part of the 1978 famous Nations Cup squad but also a celebrated lethal finisher that rocked the continent with a series of awesome strikes during his young playing career.

So it was probably worth listening to the current Cranes assistant coach yesterday when he argued that the current Cranes will have to rid themselves of complacency if they are to emulate their predecessors.

“Sometimes you wonder if the current group realizes how important Sunday’s game is to the country and for their careers. I already see signs of complacency creeping in after the Nigeria victory but I just hope they faze sooner than later,” Ouma stated.

The soft-spoken tactician has spent the last couple of weeks knocking it into the current generation that they would be labeled failures if they do not sustain their historic 2-1 winning standards over the Super Eagles, against Lesotho in Maseru.

“It’s the end product that counts. We (the 1978 team) kept our foot down even after some memorable results. It’s a journey they have started, set the standards and will have to complete for them to be remembered as a top side,” Ouma added.

“This is their best chance to make history. It is a real opportunity to stamp their mark on the game.”

A win in Maseru will thrust Uganda a foot into Ghana while defeat or draw will more-less ruin Cranes’ chances of fitting into the three-best losers bracket.

Group leaders qualify automatically for Africa’s prestigious competition but there are three guaranteed places for the overall best losers.

Cranes’ performance over the Super Eagles represented a statement of intent and brought back memories for Ouma.

“It was very similar to the win we had against Nigeria in the semi-finals in 1978, unfortunately we lost the final. But this time it could be different.”

On a Sunday evening when everyone will be on the edge of their seats, Cranes players will be under strictest of orders not to sit back and retain their cool.

“It’s the mentality that will count. We have players in this team good enough to be among the greatest this country has ever produced.”

“Sserunkuuma would be the best this generation has had if only he changes his attitude.

“He has just everything that would make him great but his attitude for the game has got to change.”

“In our team, we had Omondi (Phillip), whose attitude was always right and to play with players like that just raised your game as well.”

”If you are not playing well, you know Omondi will do something, and that is exactly what Sserunkuuma has got to do for the team at the moment.”

The historic 1978 team:
P.Ssali, E.Ssemwanga, S.Musenze, T.Lwanga, J.Kirundu, M.Kiganda, A,Nasur, M.Nsereko, G.Kisitu, P.Omondi, P.Ouma.