Uganda Cranes vow to bounce back
Feb 06, 2011
CRANES coach Robert “Bobby†Williamson will not blame the two send-offs for Uganda’s 2-0 loss to Algeria in their opening game of the African Nations Championship finals match on Saturday.
By Norman Katende in Khartoum
CRANES coach Robert “Bobby†Williamson will not blame the two send-offs for Uganda’s 2-0 loss to Algeria in their opening game of the African Nations Championship finals match on Saturday.
He says failure to adjust to the climatic conditions and playing against instructions were responsible for Uganda’s defeat to the Desert Foxes.
And neither were the Cranes players depressed after the loss. They appeared more confident and are looking forward to winning the next two matches and advance from Group A. This was showed by their response to yesterday’s morning training.
Goals from Djabou Abdelmoune and Soudani El Arabi-Hilal sunk the Cranes who had their stand in captain Owen Kasule and Tony Odur sent off with direct red cards.
The sweltering heat and tactics
“Even before the first red card, we had already conceded a goal,†said Bobby who added that there was general panic in the team and it was not until after the send off that they got some composure.
It was so hot that midfielder Manco Kaweesa admitted he wanted to be substituted, hadn’t it been that they had already been reduced to nine men.
Williamson observed that his players failed to settle and keep possession of the ball.
“We had fielded attack minded players in Stephen Bengo and Simon Sserunkuuma but they either did not get the ball or they were closed out. We have to work around it before the next game,†Williamson observed.
Giving away the ball cheaply
The midfield failed to hold on the ball and their passes either went wayward or to the enemy.
To make matters worse, almost all clearances from Cranes goalkeeper Hamuza Muwonge resulted into throw-ins or ended up in the opponents’ possession. In contrast the Algerians appeared comfortable playing in the sweltering conditions.
“It is something that he (Muwonge) has to improve. We can not get a defender to come back and take goal kicks,†said goal keeper coach Fred Kajoba.
Late reaction
After Caesar Okhuti came in to replace Bengo the Cranes put together a string of passes and managed to deny the Algerians more shots on goal.
CRANES coach Robert “Bobby†Williamson will not blame the two send-offs for Uganda’s 2-0 loss to Algeria in their opening game of the African Nations Championship finals match on Saturday.
He says failure to adjust to the climatic conditions and playing against instructions were responsible for Uganda’s defeat to the Desert Foxes.
And neither were the Cranes players depressed after the loss. They appeared more confident and are looking forward to winning the next two matches and advance from Group A. This was showed by their response to yesterday’s morning training.
Goals from Djabou Abdelmoune and Soudani El Arabi-Hilal sunk the Cranes who had their stand in captain Owen Kasule and Tony Odur sent off with direct red cards.
The sweltering heat and tactics
“Even before the first red card, we had already conceded a goal,†said Bobby who added that there was general panic in the team and it was not until after the send off that they got some composure.
It was so hot that midfielder Manco Kaweesa admitted he wanted to be substituted, hadn’t it been that they had already been reduced to nine men.
Williamson observed that his players failed to settle and keep possession of the ball.
“We had fielded attack minded players in Stephen Bengo and Simon Sserunkuuma but they either did not get the ball or they were closed out. We have to work around it before the next game,†Williamson observed.
Giving away the ball cheaply
The midfield failed to hold on the ball and their passes either went wayward or to the enemy.
To make matters worse, almost all clearances from Cranes goalkeeper Hamuza Muwonge resulted into throw-ins or ended up in the opponents’ possession. In contrast the Algerians appeared comfortable playing in the sweltering conditions.
“It is something that he (Muwonge) has to improve. We can not get a defender to come back and take goal kicks,†said goal keeper coach Fred Kajoba.
Late reaction
After Caesar Okhuti came in to replace Bengo the Cranes put together a string of passes and managed to deny the Algerians more shots on goal.