Plenty of positives from CHAN - Micho

Jan 21, 2014

CRANES coach Micho Sredejovic has applauded his youthful team for the fighting spirit they exhibited during the Africa Nations Championships

By Kenneth Muwanga in Cape Town

Africa Nations Championship

Uganda 1 Morocco 3

Zimbabwe 1 Bukina Faso 0

CRANES coach Micho Sredejovic has applauded his youthful team for the fighting spirit they exhibited during the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) in South Africa.

Micho said although the team lost 3-1 to Morocco on Monday evening, most of his objectives for the tournament were achieved and that was to expose young talent and create room for improvement.

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Cranes captain Denis Iguma leads out the team prior to kick off. Photo by Kenneth Muwanga

“We came here to change and have a style of play as Uganda and this has been achieved by the way the boys executed their duties and now every player knows the team identity,” Micho stated.

“That is what we need as we look forward to the Africa Nations Cup Qualifiers for Morocco 2015”

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Cranes fans were in full voice. Photo by Kenneth Muwanga

However Micho also admitted the more experienced Moroccans and the injury to Hassan Wasswa were the factors that decided the fate of the Cranes.

Hassan Wasswa picked up a knock in the first half and according to the technical committee he was to be substituted at half time but he insisted on playing on before Said Kyeyune replaced him.

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The fans who turned up carried along banners in support of the Cranes. Photo by Kenneth Muwanga

Cranes fielded the youngest squad in the tournament according to the Local Organising Committee and Micho was impressed by their display.

Unlike the last edition in Sudan, there was a lot improvement this time around with the team managing four points and scoring three goals in their Group B encounters.

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A fan consoles Cranes striker Francis Olaki after the match. Photo by Kenneth Muwanga

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Cranes' technical bench looked glum during proceedings. Photo by Kenneth Muwanga

Other positives of note were Benjamin Ochan’s displays which will thrust him into the fight for a regular spot in the Cranes team in the future for a position which has stiff competition already.

Micho also revealed a host of players including Ivan Ntege, Isaac Muleme and Yunus Ssentamu as those who could break into the senior side.

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