MALI 2002 BECKONS

Jan 13, 2001

CRANES have to make the best of their home ground against Senegal today in order to keep alive their chances of qualifying for the Mali 2002 Nations Cup finals.

Victory could see Cranes go top of Group Five By James Bakama CRANES have to make the best of their home ground against Senegal today in order to keep alive their chances of qualifying for the Mali 2002 Nations Cup finals. Uganda, poor away performers, are well aware that it is a win at all costs situation in a competition where a clean home record is usually a prerequisite. But the Senegal Lion, determined to revive their chances from the bottom of the group, are also taking no chances. They are not only bulging with professionals, but have also sharpened up in France for a month. Cranes coach Harrison Okagbue is, however, a man not easily shaken. He said yesterday that he has done the relevant groundwork. "They are a good physical side, but I have a formula. "I expect them to employ an enlarged formation with long balls and a lot of wing play." And the Lions indeed are relying on the flanks and long passes. They have invested a lot of their training in the past two days on the two aspects. The long passes will mainly be targeting El Hadji Papa Sarr, their star winger from French club St Etienne. Okagbue, on the other hand, has to improvise on the flanks with Abubaker Tabula's introduction. The Argentina-based player's past exploits upfront coupled with his efficiency with long balls make him the best option. Phillip Obwiny would not only replace him at the back, but also have the unenviable task of marking Papa Sarr. Coach Bruno Metsu might be making a debut on the Senegalese bench, but the Frenchman is advantaged by prior battlefield knowledge of Uganda. He was in charge of the Guinea team that took care of Uganda, 7-4 on aggregate, in World Cup qualifier last year. But he was a worried man yesterday. "Uganda has improved a lot since losing to Guinea," he said in reference to the CECAFA and Castle Cup victories. Probable line-up: Mugisha, Malinga, Obwiny, Semwogerere, Mbabazi, Nsubuga , Magumba, W. Kyambadde, H. Mubiru, A. Mukasa, A. Tabula. Ends

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