Cranes must take caution
Dec 10, 2009
A decade ago, an encounter between the Amavubi Stars and the Cranes was always a foregone conclusion.
By James Bakama
A decade ago, an encounter between the Amavubi Stars and the Cranes was always a foregone conclusion.
As veteran coach Polly Ouma once put it, the issue would only be how many goals would be fired into the Rwandans’ net.
But vast investment in the sport, thanks to President Paul Kagame’s passion, has seen Rwanda grow into a major CECAFA force.
So, when Uganda faces Rwanda in the 33rd CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup final on Sunday, they will be well aware of the steep mountain they have to climb.
Rwanda made a bold statement with a quarterfinal dismissal of COSAFA champions Zimbabwe before ejecting Tanzania yesterday.
Cranes coach Bobby Williamson, knowing the kind of trouble Rwanda could pose, was in Nyayo stadium last night busy taking notes.
Still fresh in Ugandans’ memories is a painful 2003 qualifier. The Amavubi edged the Cranes 1-0 at Namboole to qualify for their first Nations Cup finals.
It was a night when superstition overshadowed football as the Cranes got engrossed in juju to hand Rwanda a priceless win.
But Uganda’s confidence was boosted at the last CECAFA edition when the Cranes beat Rwanda 4-0.
Uganda could still draw more confidence from history, having won the annual event a record ten times.
A decade ago, an encounter between the Amavubi Stars and the Cranes was always a foregone conclusion.
As veteran coach Polly Ouma once put it, the issue would only be how many goals would be fired into the Rwandans’ net.
But vast investment in the sport, thanks to President Paul Kagame’s passion, has seen Rwanda grow into a major CECAFA force.
So, when Uganda faces Rwanda in the 33rd CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup final on Sunday, they will be well aware of the steep mountain they have to climb.
Rwanda made a bold statement with a quarterfinal dismissal of COSAFA champions Zimbabwe before ejecting Tanzania yesterday.
Cranes coach Bobby Williamson, knowing the kind of trouble Rwanda could pose, was in Nyayo stadium last night busy taking notes.
Still fresh in Ugandans’ memories is a painful 2003 qualifier. The Amavubi edged the Cranes 1-0 at Namboole to qualify for their first Nations Cup finals.
It was a night when superstition overshadowed football as the Cranes got engrossed in juju to hand Rwanda a priceless win.
But Uganda’s confidence was boosted at the last CECAFA edition when the Cranes beat Rwanda 4-0.
Uganda could still draw more confidence from history, having won the annual event a record ten times.