Drogba sinks TZ

Jan 05, 2010

<b>CECAFA champs Uganda miss chance to take on Ivory Coast</b><br><br>Chelsea striker Didier Drogba scored his 41st goal for the Ivory Coast as they continued their preparations for the African Nations Cup with a 1-0 win over Tanzania.

By Swalley Kenyi, Norman Katende and reuters

CECAFA champs Uganda miss chance to take on Ivory Coast

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba scored his 41st goal for the Ivory Coast as they continued their preparations for the African Nations Cup with a 1-0 win over Tanzania.

Drogba scored six minutes before halftime in Dar-es-Salaam and his goal proved to be the winner on Monday for the Ivorians, who are the pre-tournament favourites for the January 10-31 finals in Angola.

Defending champions Egypt beat Mali 1-0 in another warm-up match in Dubai, second-half substitute
Mohamed Nagui finding
the target.

The Ivory Coast meet Rwanda in Dar-es-Salaam tomorrow in their last warm-up game, three days before hosts Angola face Mali in Luanda to get the Nations Cup underway.

With the arrival of the Ivorians in the region, it is emerging that CECAFA champions Uganda should have been the ones taking on the Ivory Coast tomorrow
if not for a clash of interests with promoters of the friendly game.

“We attempted to strike a deal with the Tanzania Football Association but Serengeti Brewers, who sponsored the Elephant’s trip to Tanzania did not want it that way,” explained FUFA official Moses Magogo.

“We even attempted to have the match in Tanzania but still they wanted the Tanzanian team instead to play Ivory coast twice to try and break even. Their decision
now to call Rwanda must have been a turnaround at the last minute,” Magogo added.

“We actually have personal relationships with officials of the Ivory Coast FA, and I am certain we will get another chance.”

Tanzania’s Guardian newspaper reported that Rwanda was chosen over Uganda because of communication breakdown with FUFA and that Cranes coach Robert Williamson was upset that Cranes failed to travel despite being contacted first. However the Scot denied the report yesterday.

Confusion surrounding the trip continued with FUFA chief executive Edgar Watson saying they failed to honour the invitation because it came late and the federation did not have funds at hand.

* FUFA’s technical committee
converges at Mengo on Friday to lay a six year plan.

“We are going to sieve the different ideas and come out with a development plan to spur us to better heights,” explained national technical director Asuman Lubowa.
Lubowa said that the meeting
will address issues on talent identification, continuity
and follow up of stars as a way of qualifying for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

National coach Robert Williamson, who signed a four year contract last year, will lead the discussion.
“I came in with only two matches remaining in the qualifiers and I could not do much. I now have ample time to plan for the Cranes and other teams to reach the same level with top teams on the continent,” Willliamson said.

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