Micho hails 'exceptional' Ntege

By Shafik Ssenoga and Agencies

International friendly

Uganda 3 Mauritania 0

CRANES coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has compared midfielder Ivan Ntege to former France midfielder Claude Makelele.

The Serbian tactician watched the KCCA midfielder’s contribution to Uganda’s 3-0 international friendly win over Mauritania on Thursday and then stated: “His tremendous style of play, reflects the flair of former France and Chelsea midfielder Makelele’’, Micho stated.

“Ntege is so instrumental in shielding the defense, monitoring the midfield and also imposing pressure against the opposition. 

Although Ntege has only secured three caps so far for the national team, Micho believes the youngster will achieve his proffesional dream.

Ntege is a battle-hardened midfielder with quick decision-making and superb game reading. He is however expected to compete with Hassan Wasswa for that holding midfield role at the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) thats start on Jaanuary 11.

Nigeria name weak side

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has been forced to name a weakened 23-man squad for CHAN.

Influential midfielder Sunday Mba and U-17 World Cup star Kelechi Iheanacho have been omitted after they both left the Super Eagles training camp to chase European deals.

Hamstring injuries have ruled out Yinka Adedeji and Gambo Mohammed for the competition for domestic league players. But goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim will lead the locally-based Eagles and the squad will include Azubuike Egwuekwe, Solomon Kwambe, Ejike Uzoenyi and Benjamin Francis, who have all been capped by Nigeria at full international level.