Coach Micho keeps faith in Shaban

Uganda's Serbian national football team coach Milutin Sredojevic attends a press conference. AFP PHOTO

Tuesday,7pm, Group D
Ghana v Uganda
 
Coach Milutin Sredojevic has kept faith in teenager Mohammad Shaban.

Micho, as the Serbian tactician is popularly known, said on Tuesday that Uganda's footballer of the year had immensely benefitted from the team's international friendlies.

"He is no longer the same player he was before our international friendlies. There is a boost in his confidence," stated Micho.

Shaban's selection as Uganda's top player caused an uproar in the country's soccer fraternity.

Most people were of the view that goalkeeper Denis Onyango was a better candidate. Onyango indeed went on to win the CAF award.

But the Onduparaka FC player is not about to be distracted by the past. He is seriously focusing on a good Nations Cup.

He has been coming on as a substitute in Uganda's friendlies.  And indeed he has progressively improved.

"I look forward to good performance and then of course the possibility of being signed on in the more lucrative leagues like Europe," he said.

Shaban stands for the new generation of players who will take over from the likes of long serving Geoffrey Massa.

The Obdupara FC player, who is ardent Chelsea supporter, is well aware of the huge task ahead but has promised to ride the challenge.

"In life nothing comes easy. I am determined not to disappoint coach Micho and the entire country," he stated.

He is also not about to disappoint Onduparaka's soccer mad fans.

Amongst these is a member of the 1978 Cranes team squad that reached the final- Mike Diku.

Diku has high hopes in Shaban. "If he settles in very well, he has a very bright future. He is that kind of player who takes his chances. That's a rare quality. Many of our strikers are too wasteful."