Cranes can beat Zimbabwe if...

Jan 26, 2016

As it is, Cranes can only take care of the challenge before them, and hope that table leaders Zambia compete for a result against Mali.

Africa Nations Championship
Tomorrow, 5pm
Live on SS9/GOTV
Uganda v Zimbabwe

When Cranes confront Zimbabwe tomorrow in their final Group D match of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), the rule will be clear; win and hope that Zambia humiliate Mali.

It's a scenario Cranes could have avoided but for a combination of tactical sloppiness and the loss of their most inspirational star Faruku Miya in their previous two matches of the championship there is little to be done now.

As it is, Cranes can only take care of the challenge before them, and hope that table leaders Zambia compete for a result against Mali.

And how well Cranes coach Micho Sredejovic performs could prove decisive. The Serbian will have to excel in three of his five primary roles.

 That is identify the right system, get the best out the players available but most important select the right team with the right balance.

The Serbian got it all wrong in the first half against Zambia when he opted for a conservative approach, with striker Caesar Okhuti dropped for two holding midfielders Timothy Awanyi and Ivan Ntege.

Against Zimbabwe, there will be no second chances.

The Southern Africans might be out of the championship, but will be determined to sign out with a decent result.

Zimbabwe captain Hardlife Zvirekwi reminded Cranes of what to expect when he stated that: "Loss of concentration affected us against Mali; it was the same during the first match and it happened again. We have learnt our mistakes. We need to encourage the players to push on and play for national pride in the last match (against Uganda)."

While Zimbabwe will try to win for the sake of national pride, for the Cranes, the rewards are beyond that.

How do we stop Zimbabwe?

When the Cranes retreated to their Belvedere Hotel after the game against Zambia, the technical team must have reviewed footage of two of Zimbabwe's previous group matches.

There is enough to suggest that the two sides are familiar with each other as well, having played out a tense goalless draw in the 2011 championship in South Africa.

The two sides share the same football philosophy. Both Cranes and the Warriors thrive on short passes while in possession, and counter-attacks through the wide areas while breaking down the opposition.

The only difference is while Cranes gamble with strikers in the wide areas, the Warriors have naturally gifted wide midfielders that can find spaces behind any back-four in this championship.

Tatendwa Mudehwe and Edmore Chirambadare are exceptional wingers with boundless abilities.

That, and the towering presence of Rodreck Mutuma could prove devastating. Zimbabwe occasionally play the long ball, and that's to try and utilize Mutuma's aerial presence.

Cranes central defenders Richard Kasagga and Bernard Muwanga have proved decent, but their partnership could have developed much better had they been given the chance to pair up during the CECAFA Challenge Cup.

Micho opted for Murshid Juuko ahead of Muwanga, and while that guaranteed the regional title, it has had its own consequences in CHAN.

Both Kasagga and Muwanga were caught flat, as Zambian striker Christopher Katongo stole through to hand the Chipolopolo that priceless winner.

The two will still have to play out of their skins to track Mutuma, although full backs Denis Okot and Joseph Ochaya can do their bit by frustrating Mudehwe and Chirambadare - two players that hold the key to Zimbabwe's industrious play.

Ivan Ntege struggled during his first game of the championship against Zambia, but could be the best bet to track Zimbabwe's best passer of the ball Farai Mudhanaga.

It will be frustrating if Micho chooses to start with two holding midfielders, yet again. Zimbabwe is a side that withers fast if kept under pressure for considerable periods of the game.

Cranes simply need to start with more attacking players on the pitch, and Zimbabwe will be history.

If the likes of Caesar Okhuti, Robert Ssentongo and Erisa Sekisambu are encouraged to confront Zimbabwe's lanky defender Lawrence Mlangha, the rewards will be priceless.

Mlangha is extremely suspect.

He is too slow and his passing out of defence isn't the best either. Mlangha is the weakest point in this Zimbabwean side that could hand Cranes that route to glory tomorrow.

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