''I''m Angolan football''s curse'', Micho

By Swalley Kenyi

ALTHOUGH it was his sixth approach that fell the Palancas Negras in their 2014 Brazil World Cup qualifiers at Nambole yesterday, coach Mulitin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic believes he is a curse in Angolan football. 

Speaking to the press at the post match, the Uganda Cranes coach said that it was his tactical prowess coupled with the agile squad that enabled him execute six different approaches to rout Angola.

“We went into the match with six different approaches. We played through the sides, in the space, through the centre….but it was the last option to pump the ball into their box that worked. Thanks to the mobility of the players,” Sredojevic said.

He however bragged that Angola sides have never been a problem to him as a coach. “I have beaten top Angolan clubs… Aviacao and so on…actually I can say they have a jinx against me.” 

Before the match Sredojevic said that he was familiar with his Angolan counterpart Gustavo Ferrin’s tactics. 

But the Serb conceded that Ferrín surprised him with the substitution of defender Adawa Mokanga for Antonio Cassule nearly ruining his second half plan to tear through the right back.

Sredojevic together with strikers Emma Okwi, Geoffrey Massa and Tonny Mawejje had read the weakness of the player and appeared to enjoy tearing through Cassule yielding four narrow escapes for Angola in the fast half. And as Sredojevic planned to farther exploit the weakness in the second half, the player did not come back. 

“At least we can spend hours at the top of the table but I must say I was surprised by the coach’s decision to play in the right back. It made our approach difficult but at the end of the day it is the win that matters,” Sredojevic revealed.

He showered his players with praises and especially substitute Hamis Kiiza, who injected life into the striking line forcing the opponents into mistakes –first causing the red card to Fabricio Mafuta in the 75th minutes of the game. It is the pressure that bore the two goals and dismissal of Angola tactician Ferrin from the bench late in the game.

While Sredojevic explained his tactics, his counterpart Ferrin furiously dismissed calls for him to face the press. 

The Uruguayan was ejected from the bench amidst protests in the heat of things after he confronted a ball boy outside his areas. Team officials, who were dismayed by their loss of the first half lead, could neither allow their captain Mateus Da Costa comment.