Ssali insists Onyango holds Cranes’ key
MOST Ugandans are looking to strikers for deliverance on Saturday. Paul Ssali is however one man who believes that the focus should be elsewhere.
What the legends say: Ssali insists Onyango holds Cranes’ key
By JAMES BAKAMA
MOST Ugandans are looking to strikers for deliverance on Saturday. Paul Ssali is however one man who believes that the focus should be elsewhere.
“Our goalkeeper Denis Onyango is the man who holds the key to our qualification,†insists the former Cranes custodian.
Ssali, who was Cranes custodian when they reached the Nations Cup final in 1978, explains that the goalkeeper holds a pivotal role on any team.
“He takes on the role of a coach on the pitch because of his strategic position that allows him to follow events better than all the other players.â€
The veteran coach therefore insists that a goalkeeper who cannot direct events on the field of play is a liability to the team. “If you are shy you can’t be a goalkeeper. Good goalkeepers talk a lot,†he adds before making a reference to himself.
“I am by all measures an old man but if I decided to go back to goal you would be surprised by how long it would take to beat me. Reason: I am always in command.â€
He describes Cranes custodian Onyango as a talented goalkeeper. “He also commands his defence. But I would still love to have him taking an even stronger grip. I want to see him issuing more orders.â€
Ssali craves for the day Onyango will start getting less busier because of his efforts to subdue attacks long before they get to him.
The retired goalkeeper also insists that a goalkeeper should be in total control of his 18 yard box. “You should have good timing. A cross lost is almost like a sure goal because it is very hard to save the resultant attack.â€
Ssali also has tips for the other Cranes players. “With confidence and determination the sky will be the limit. I have this feeling that we are winning on Saturday.
Besides his good goalkeeping skills, Ssali was also a no nonsense player, an attitude that earned him the nickname “commandoâ€.
From army side Simba he joined KCC. He is however best remembered for his time in the Cranes particularly at the 1978 tournament in Ghana where he finished as one of the best goalkeepers.
He strongly believes that if footballers in his era could reach the final, then the current crop of players also can.
By JAMES BAKAMA
MOST Ugandans are looking to strikers for deliverance on Saturday. Paul Ssali is however one man who believes that the focus should be elsewhere.
“Our goalkeeper Denis Onyango is the man who holds the key to our qualification,†insists the former Cranes custodian.
Ssali, who was Cranes custodian when they reached the Nations Cup final in 1978, explains that the goalkeeper holds a pivotal role on any team.
“He takes on the role of a coach on the pitch because of his strategic position that allows him to follow events better than all the other players.â€
The veteran coach therefore insists that a goalkeeper who cannot direct events on the field of play is a liability to the team. “If you are shy you can’t be a goalkeeper. Good goalkeepers talk a lot,†he adds before making a reference to himself.
“I am by all measures an old man but if I decided to go back to goal you would be surprised by how long it would take to beat me. Reason: I am always in command.â€
He describes Cranes custodian Onyango as a talented goalkeeper. “He also commands his defence. But I would still love to have him taking an even stronger grip. I want to see him issuing more orders.â€
Ssali craves for the day Onyango will start getting less busier because of his efforts to subdue attacks long before they get to him.
The retired goalkeeper also insists that a goalkeeper should be in total control of his 18 yard box. “You should have good timing. A cross lost is almost like a sure goal because it is very hard to save the resultant attack.â€
Ssali also has tips for the other Cranes players. “With confidence and determination the sky will be the limit. I have this feeling that we are winning on Saturday.
Besides his good goalkeeping skills, Ssali was also a no nonsense player, an attitude that earned him the nickname “commandoâ€.
From army side Simba he joined KCC. He is however best remembered for his time in the Cranes particularly at the 1978 tournament in Ghana where he finished as one of the best goalkeepers.
He strongly believes that if footballers in his era could reach the final, then the current crop of players also can.