Cranes new breed hold the key to progress
Mar 28, 2010
UGANDA’S attempts towards qualifying for major tournaments such as the Africa Nations Cup have been journeys full of agony.
Nations Championship
Uganda 4 Burundi 0
Tanzania 6 Somalia 0
Cameroon 3 Congo 0
Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon advance
By Fred Kaweesi
UGANDA’S attempts towards qualifying for major tournaments such as the Africa Nations Cup have been journeys full of agony.
Since 1978, when Cranes last stormed the final of the continental showpiece before they lost to hosts Ghana, all intervening years have been a series of near-misses and abject failures.
Cranes’ ambitions have grown more modest over each ill-fated campaign and right now, qualifying for the subsidiary competition, the Africa Nations Championships, a tournament tailored for local-based players’, will be fully appreciated.
On Saturday, coach Bobby Williamson’s side elevated its self to the brink of qualification with a masterful 4-0 hammering of Burundi at Namboole. Cranes progress to the final qualifying round with a 5-1 aggregate.
A hat-trick from Tony Odur and thunderous 40-yard free-kick executed by Musa Mude engineered the win and all that Cranes have to do now is negotiate their two-leg engagements against Kenya next month to guarantee qualification to the tournament that will be held in Sudan next year.
Of course, the Kenyan hurdle will be sterner, but Uganda’s rivals will still find problems containing Williamson’s new breed of youngsters.
Odur revives Cranes career
After a mediocre start to the game, the Scot, just like the expectant crowd, had their requests answered through Odur – a player that strived to redeem his status as one of Uganda’s most treasured attacking assets.
“It’s good for my career as I had gone along time without scoring for the national team,†Odur stated.
Odur had become a permanent figure in the Cranes team during Laszlo Csaba’s era in 2008 but faded in subsequent years, dropping behind the emerging talents of Geoffrey Massa, Caesar Okhuti and Brian Umony.
What next?
Cranes will stun Kenya if Mude and Owen Kasule continue to develop an understanding and Henry Kisekka utilizes his burly frame.
(For Cranes updates, SMS CRANES to 8338)
Uganda 4 Burundi 0
Tanzania 6 Somalia 0
Cameroon 3 Congo 0
Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon advance
By Fred Kaweesi
UGANDA’S attempts towards qualifying for major tournaments such as the Africa Nations Cup have been journeys full of agony.
Since 1978, when Cranes last stormed the final of the continental showpiece before they lost to hosts Ghana, all intervening years have been a series of near-misses and abject failures.
Cranes’ ambitions have grown more modest over each ill-fated campaign and right now, qualifying for the subsidiary competition, the Africa Nations Championships, a tournament tailored for local-based players’, will be fully appreciated.
On Saturday, coach Bobby Williamson’s side elevated its self to the brink of qualification with a masterful 4-0 hammering of Burundi at Namboole. Cranes progress to the final qualifying round with a 5-1 aggregate.
A hat-trick from Tony Odur and thunderous 40-yard free-kick executed by Musa Mude engineered the win and all that Cranes have to do now is negotiate their two-leg engagements against Kenya next month to guarantee qualification to the tournament that will be held in Sudan next year.
Of course, the Kenyan hurdle will be sterner, but Uganda’s rivals will still find problems containing Williamson’s new breed of youngsters.
Odur revives Cranes career
After a mediocre start to the game, the Scot, just like the expectant crowd, had their requests answered through Odur – a player that strived to redeem his status as one of Uganda’s most treasured attacking assets.
“It’s good for my career as I had gone along time without scoring for the national team,†Odur stated.
Odur had become a permanent figure in the Cranes team during Laszlo Csaba’s era in 2008 but faded in subsequent years, dropping behind the emerging talents of Geoffrey Massa, Caesar Okhuti and Brian Umony.
What next?
Cranes will stun Kenya if Mude and Owen Kasule continue to develop an understanding and Henry Kisekka utilizes his burly frame.
(For Cranes updates, SMS CRANES to 8338)