Can this Cranes team emulate 1978 team

 

1978

 

 

                    P      W   D    L     F     A     Pts

 

Uganda          3      2       0    1     7     4     4

 

Tunisia           3      1       2    0      4    2     4

 

Morocco         3      1       1    1     2      4    3

 

Congo Braz     3      0       1    2     1     4     1

 

 

Uganda 3 Congo 1

 

Tunisia 3  Uganda 1

 

Uganda 3  Morocco 0

 

 

Uganda 2 Nigeria 1

 

 

Ghana 2 Uganda 0

 

 

DR. Congo 0 Uganda 2

 

 

Uganda v Zimbabwe

 

 

The eleventh edition of the biennial event is used as a benchmark for obvious reasons. It was Uganda's best football performance ever.

 

The Cranes topped their group then beat Nigeria's in the semi-finals before losing to Ghana in the final.

 

 Ugandan players celebrate after winning the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football match between DR Congo and Uganda at Cairo International Stadium 

After the Cranes getting off to a flying start at the ongoing Nations Cup, comparisons are already being drawn between the current side and the 1978 Dream Team.

 

Just like Sebastien Desabre's side beat DR Congo on Saturday, the 1978 team coached by Peter Okee, started off with a 3-1 win over Congo Brazzaville.

 

Godfrey Kisitu, Eddie Ssemwanga, and Phillip Omondi scored for the Cranes that time just like Patrick Kaddu and Emma Okwi did on Saturday.

 

Uganda in 1978, however, lost its next match to Tunisia before eventually recovering with the tournament's biggest upset- a 3-0 whipping of favourites Morocco.

 

Kisitu, Moses Nsereko, and Omondi were Uganda's stars in the demolition of Morocco that saw the Cranes top Group B and remain in Kumasi for their semi-final date with Nigeria.

 

Desabre's side need not wait for their final game to top the group. They could as well beat Zimbabwe on Wednesday in their second match to be assured of a round of 16 slot.

 

 Uganda's forward Patrick Kaddu greets the fans after winning the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football match between DR Congo and Uganda 

 

Short of that then they will have to wait for the unenviable task of deciding their fate in their last group game against hosts and record seven-time winners Egypt.

 

So, can the current team emulate the 1978 side by going all the way?

 

With three points already safely in their custody, the sky is indeed the limit. Even if Uganda failed to advance amongst the best two group teams they can still do so amongst the best four third-placed teams.

 

Then this is where the difference in the two tournaments comes in. While the 1978 competition had only eight teams, this is an expanded race of 24 teams.

 

This, in effect also means a longer tournament. While the 1978 race had teams qualifying for the semi-finals immediately after the groups, the current format involves a round of 16 and thereafter quarter-finals, semis then final.

 

 Uganda Cranes' players greet the fans after the game

 

So, does the current side have what it takes to go all the way? This question will be answered on Wednesday when the Cranes play their second match.

 

The Cranes will be up against a hungry side. Zimbawe's Warriors are desperate for their first win after getting off to a losing start to Egypt.

 

If the Cranes kick Zimbabwe out, then a place in the next stage will be definite.