Double tragedy for Uganda soccer teams

May 04, 2008

IT was double jeopardy for Uganda as the national U-20 socer side The Hippos, and the senior side The Cranes, lost at the weekend. The Hippos failed to build-up on a draw in Kinshasa, succumbing to a humiliating 1-0 Nakivubo defeat and dismissal from the continental youth race on Friday.

By James Bakama

ANC Tournament
First round, first leg

Tanzania 2 Uganda 0

U-20 Africa Cup

Uganda 0 DR.Congo 1
(DRC advance 1-0 on aggregate)

IT was double jeopardy for Uganda as the national U-20 socer side The Hippos, and the senior side The Cranes, lost at the weekend. The Hippos failed to build-up on a draw in Kinshasa, succumbing to a humiliating 1-0 Nakivubo defeat and dismissal from the continental youth race on Friday.

The nation turned to Laszlo Csaba’s senior side for relief on Saturday, only to be further disappointed as the Cranes also lost to a not so impressive Tanzania.

The Cranes were not only slow, but paid dearly for some tactical and goalkeeping blunders. Csaba’s midfield choice of Stephen Bengo and Jeremiah Sebuyiira flopped while goalkeeper Sam Kawalya twice let the hosts score from very feeble efforts.

Csaba, who travelled to Tanzania complaining of inadequate training, emphasised the need for better build-ups if they are to reproduce the form that saw them obliterate Eritrea in the previous round.

The national coach’s biggest complaint was he did not have enough time with the local players, who were all engaged with their clubs in the Super League.
FUFA is ensuring that the league ends before May 31, when the national team will go into camp for over a month for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

One man however will not write off the Cranes chances. Assistant coach Sam Ssimbwa is confident that if the Cranes go back to the drawing board for the May 17 return leg, they can still advance to the next stage.

“This Tanzania team shouldn’t have beaten us even away. They are not that good,” insisted the ex-international after the match in Mwanza’s CCM Chirumba stadium.

The better side will take on the winner between Rwanda and Sudan in the next round.

World Cup Group 3
Angola
Benin
Uganda
Niger

Opening game
May 31

Uganda v Niger

Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) and national team sponsors MTN are due to launch a multi-million shilling Cranes’ 2010 World Cup campaign.

FUFA vice president in charge of finance Jowali Kyeyago confirmed the launch is tentatively set for May 9. Cranes start their World Cup campaign against Niger.

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