Bobby to rely on foreign-based players

By Swalley Kenyi and Charles Mutebi

2014 World Cup qualifier

March 24

Liberia v Uganda

TIME is not Bobby Williamson’s best ally as the Uganda Cranes draw closer to the 2014 World Cup Qualifier in Liberia.

With just over two weeks to the daunting West African trip, the Cranes coach has revealed that he can only commence training with a full squad five days to the match.

The Cranes are second in Group J, two points behind leaders Senegal, after pulling off two draws in their opening pair of games.

Uganda need a win in Monrovia to keep their discreet World Cup hopes on course but Williamson’s revelations may raise concern.

Yet, in truth, Williamson’s disclosure is merely a matter of fact and not a personal plan. 

“I always tell people that we can only get all the players we need five days to the match day,” said the Cranes boss yesterday. 

“Therefore, it is only logical to summon players five days to the match.”

The Scot further explained that although he will summon home-based players to the 30-man squad, he will only disclose the list after the arrival of the foreign contingent.

Tony Mawejje and Geoffrey Kizito are already in the country.

The time constraints mean Uganda will have to rely on the tight chemistry they have built over the last three years to get a result in Liberia. 

It also means there will be little room for locally-based players in the final squad especially after one of the worst seasons in the history of local league football. 

The impasse between FUFA and the USL has sucked the life out of domestic football this season and rendered the development of talent impossible.

Uganda kicked off their Group J campaign with a creditable 1-1 draw in Angola before securing a similar result at home to Senegal. 

For their part, Liberia lost 3-1 away to Senegal before a 0-0 home-draw against Angola.