Bobby Williamson targets Cup finals
Mar 27, 2011
AT the end of Uganda’s 1-0 historic Nations Cup qualifying victory at the Rino Corrirea Stadium, the entire Guinea Bissau team set up a guard of honour for the Cranes team on their way off the pitch.
By Fred Kaweesi in Guinea Bissau
AT the end of Uganda’s 1-0 historic Nations Cup qualifying victory at the Rino Corrirea Stadium, the entire Guinea Bissau team set up a guard of honour for the Cranes team on their way off the pitch.
Despite the defeat, the 5000 capacity home crowd that squeezed into the old-fashioned stadium could not hold back their adulations for a side that had deservedly won a game in a stadium in which Guinea Bissau had not lost a game in over two years.
Uganda’s Group J rivals Kenya will testify following their 1-0 defeat in September last year, just as countries such as Benin, who lost 7-2 here in 2002.
Guinea Bissau president Malam Bacai Sanha arrived into the stadium to wide applause but left speechless.
After 90 minutes of tension-packed and nervous waiting, the Cranes had finally ended an away jinx and with it scripted a new chapter in Ugandan football.
The win was not only Uganda’s first away from home since 2001 –– in the 2-1 win over Malawi –– but the first ever in West Africa.
How did it all happened
For starters, it had a lot to do with just how this team prepared for this particular game.
Contrary to the build-ups to previous qualifying matches, for the first time ever, the team held its training camp in a neutral city Dakar, Senegal and although it was more for financial reasons rather than planning, it quickly turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
“The concentration levels were high and focus fantastic. We also had fresh pairs of legs for the game, especially from the guys that traveled from Europe,†Cranes coach Bobby Williamson said.
Indeed the Cranes had fresh legs that proved good enough to match the hosts despite the discomfort created by the artificial surface.
Because of this particular plastic pitch, sweltering temperatures and a group of ‘mercenary’ players gathered from the Portuguese league, Guinea Bissau had insisted that Cranes had no chance. They had warned that they should not even bother turning up for the fixture.
Obua on target
But Cranes defied the odds, their critics and logic as they cruised to their second win in the Group with a well-taken strike from David Obua on 21 minutes.
The Hearts star did what he does best – score for Cranes in times of need and often away from home (Mauritius and Niger) after feeding off Geoffrey Massa’s well-placed pass yards across the box.
It was a product of a move that started with team captain Ibrahim Sekagya’s long pass to Godfrey Walusimbi, whose first touch released Massa. The Egypt-based striker then embarked on an incisive run down the left, ghosted past three defenders with some wonderful piece of dribbling that combined class and intelligence before his precious assist.
Although Massa was replaced in the 72nd minute by Geoffrey Sserunkuuma due to a groin jury, he made many marvel at his performance. There was force – legitimately —energy to amaze.
His moment of magic and Obua’s instinctive goal were the difference in a first half in which the hosts had through their livewire Zezinho started brilliantly, passed the Cranes off the park with admirable one-twos and forced goalkeeper Dennis Onyango into a couple of heart-throbbing saves.
Yet that said, Bobby Williamson’s 11 cards totally deserved this landmark win, for Cranes played the best football for the latter majority of this game.
They played with heart and desire, worked for each other, particularly at the heart of midfield, where Tony Mawejje and Mudde Musa were fantastic.
In the build-up to this game, there was talk that the game would be won or lost in midfield and that if Cranes were to soar above their opponents, the two had to perform.
For the umpteenth time, the pair clicked. There was brilliant movement, with each cleaning up the other’s mess.
There were times both Mawejje and Mudde were forced to seat deep but successfully covered ground to frustrate their opponents.
Onyango’s save
Cranes back-four was authoritative but equally important was how significantly Onyango contributed to this win. He saved Zezinho’s penalty after 72 minutes to ensure his team wins.
The gangly goalkeeper did out-compete and out-muscle Bissau’s rampaging forwards five times.
Commenting about the save, Onyango said, “I knew Zezinho had done so much earlier in the game and was tired. Usually that takes out so much from a player. I didn’t move but just waited and waited before he indicated where he intended to take the kick.â€
Sekagya survives
The one man that felt much more relieved was Ibrahim Sekagya, who lawfully should have been sent-off for a second bookable offence. As it turned out, Sekagya miraculously survived. “He (the Burkina Faso referee had the yellow card half way out of his pocket but decided to return it. I was lucky,†Sekagya hinted.
The defender is now suspended for the return game in June.
The Cranes earned the right to look pleased with themselves, but the wheels could come off if little is put into the return game.
AT the end of Uganda’s 1-0 historic Nations Cup qualifying victory at the Rino Corrirea Stadium, the entire Guinea Bissau team set up a guard of honour for the Cranes team on their way off the pitch.
Despite the defeat, the 5000 capacity home crowd that squeezed into the old-fashioned stadium could not hold back their adulations for a side that had deservedly won a game in a stadium in which Guinea Bissau had not lost a game in over two years.
Uganda’s Group J rivals Kenya will testify following their 1-0 defeat in September last year, just as countries such as Benin, who lost 7-2 here in 2002.
Guinea Bissau president Malam Bacai Sanha arrived into the stadium to wide applause but left speechless.
After 90 minutes of tension-packed and nervous waiting, the Cranes had finally ended an away jinx and with it scripted a new chapter in Ugandan football.
The win was not only Uganda’s first away from home since 2001 –– in the 2-1 win over Malawi –– but the first ever in West Africa.
How did it all happened
For starters, it had a lot to do with just how this team prepared for this particular game.
Contrary to the build-ups to previous qualifying matches, for the first time ever, the team held its training camp in a neutral city Dakar, Senegal and although it was more for financial reasons rather than planning, it quickly turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
“The concentration levels were high and focus fantastic. We also had fresh pairs of legs for the game, especially from the guys that traveled from Europe,†Cranes coach Bobby Williamson said.
Indeed the Cranes had fresh legs that proved good enough to match the hosts despite the discomfort created by the artificial surface.
Because of this particular plastic pitch, sweltering temperatures and a group of ‘mercenary’ players gathered from the Portuguese league, Guinea Bissau had insisted that Cranes had no chance. They had warned that they should not even bother turning up for the fixture.
Obua on target
But Cranes defied the odds, their critics and logic as they cruised to their second win in the Group with a well-taken strike from David Obua on 21 minutes.
The Hearts star did what he does best – score for Cranes in times of need and often away from home (Mauritius and Niger) after feeding off Geoffrey Massa’s well-placed pass yards across the box.
It was a product of a move that started with team captain Ibrahim Sekagya’s long pass to Godfrey Walusimbi, whose first touch released Massa. The Egypt-based striker then embarked on an incisive run down the left, ghosted past three defenders with some wonderful piece of dribbling that combined class and intelligence before his precious assist.
Although Massa was replaced in the 72nd minute by Geoffrey Sserunkuuma due to a groin jury, he made many marvel at his performance. There was force – legitimately —energy to amaze.
His moment of magic and Obua’s instinctive goal were the difference in a first half in which the hosts had through their livewire Zezinho started brilliantly, passed the Cranes off the park with admirable one-twos and forced goalkeeper Dennis Onyango into a couple of heart-throbbing saves.
Yet that said, Bobby Williamson’s 11 cards totally deserved this landmark win, for Cranes played the best football for the latter majority of this game.
They played with heart and desire, worked for each other, particularly at the heart of midfield, where Tony Mawejje and Mudde Musa were fantastic.
In the build-up to this game, there was talk that the game would be won or lost in midfield and that if Cranes were to soar above their opponents, the two had to perform.
For the umpteenth time, the pair clicked. There was brilliant movement, with each cleaning up the other’s mess.
There were times both Mawejje and Mudde were forced to seat deep but successfully covered ground to frustrate their opponents.
Onyango’s save
Cranes back-four was authoritative but equally important was how significantly Onyango contributed to this win. He saved Zezinho’s penalty after 72 minutes to ensure his team wins.
The gangly goalkeeper did out-compete and out-muscle Bissau’s rampaging forwards five times.
Commenting about the save, Onyango said, “I knew Zezinho had done so much earlier in the game and was tired. Usually that takes out so much from a player. I didn’t move but just waited and waited before he indicated where he intended to take the kick.â€
Sekagya survives
The one man that felt much more relieved was Ibrahim Sekagya, who lawfully should have been sent-off for a second bookable offence. As it turned out, Sekagya miraculously survived. “He (the Burkina Faso referee had the yellow card half way out of his pocket but decided to return it. I was lucky,†Sekagya hinted.
The defender is now suspended for the return game in June.
The Cranes earned the right to look pleased with themselves, but the wheels could come off if little is put into the return game.