FUFA blunders
Dec 17, 2002
UGANDA was at the 26th CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup rudely awakened to the fact that it takes more than players’ talent to win tournaments
By James Bakama
UGANDA was at the 26th CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup rudely awakened to the fact that it takes more than players’ talent to win tournaments.
Cranes undoubtedly had the most gifted side on the pitch, but when it came to organisational forces behind the team, Uganda’s ineptitude was again exposed.
FUFA’s technical wing started scoring own goals well before the team even boarded the bus to Arusha.
Their first blunder was to enter 18 players, four short of each of their opposition teams. Midfielder Meddie Nsubuga then left for professional trials in Argentina before the team’s departure.
That left coach Paul Hasule with 17 players — a shortage that together with injuries and red cards was devastating in the later stages of the tournament.
Uganda always had only three players on the bench in her last matches. No wonder defender Francis Onyango was at one point assigned the twin striker’s role.
Poor motivation in a team dominated by youngsters in their first international tournament also had Cranes homesick by the semi-finals.
Usually super fit goalkeeper Abdul Salim was this time disturbed by constant calls to sign for Tanzanian club Mtibwa Sugar.
A careless own goal and two 40 meter shots past him suddenly made inexperienced Ben Lwanga a better option.
But, perhaps, Uganda would have still marched to a record ninth title if it was not for Yusuf Kinene’s semi-final red card against Kenya Harambee Stars. The 32nd minute red card, Kinene’s second on the same ground, marked the turning point.
Cranes had hitherto shown scant respect for Kenya’s solid build-up in England and Australia. Harambee Stars thereafter effectively exploited their numerical advantage.
Ethiopia’s German coach Figze Jochen, who wept after the defending champions lost to Cranes 3-0, was one of those touched by Cranes wealth of talent.
Fullbacks Phillip Obwin and Nestroy Kizito were unmatched just like attacking midfielder Abubaker Tabula and Geoffrey Sserunkuma, who minus injury would have certainly got the golden ball.
Final:
Kenya 3 (Paul Oyuga, John Baraza and Dennis Oliech) Tanzania 2 (Emmanuel Gabriel and Mecky Maxime).
Third Place:
Rwanda 2 (Abdul Sibomana and Aziz Baliwuza) Uganda 1 (Isaac Mulyanga)
Past Winners:
Year Winner
2002 Kenya
2001 Ethiopia
2000 Uganda
1999 Rwanda
1998 Not held
1997 Not held
1996 Uganda
1995 Zanzibar
1994 Tanzania
1993 Not held
1992 Uganda
1991 Zambia
1990 Uganda
UGANDA was at the 26th CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup rudely awakened to the fact that it takes more than players’ talent to win tournaments.
Cranes undoubtedly had the most gifted side on the pitch, but when it came to organisational forces behind the team, Uganda’s ineptitude was again exposed.
FUFA’s technical wing started scoring own goals well before the team even boarded the bus to Arusha.
Their first blunder was to enter 18 players, four short of each of their opposition teams. Midfielder Meddie Nsubuga then left for professional trials in Argentina before the team’s departure.
That left coach Paul Hasule with 17 players — a shortage that together with injuries and red cards was devastating in the later stages of the tournament.
Uganda always had only three players on the bench in her last matches. No wonder defender Francis Onyango was at one point assigned the twin striker’s role.
Poor motivation in a team dominated by youngsters in their first international tournament also had Cranes homesick by the semi-finals.
Usually super fit goalkeeper Abdul Salim was this time disturbed by constant calls to sign for Tanzanian club Mtibwa Sugar.
A careless own goal and two 40 meter shots past him suddenly made inexperienced Ben Lwanga a better option.
But, perhaps, Uganda would have still marched to a record ninth title if it was not for Yusuf Kinene’s semi-final red card against Kenya Harambee Stars. The 32nd minute red card, Kinene’s second on the same ground, marked the turning point.
Cranes had hitherto shown scant respect for Kenya’s solid build-up in England and Australia. Harambee Stars thereafter effectively exploited their numerical advantage.
Ethiopia’s German coach Figze Jochen, who wept after the defending champions lost to Cranes 3-0, was one of those touched by Cranes wealth of talent.
Fullbacks Phillip Obwin and Nestroy Kizito were unmatched just like attacking midfielder Abubaker Tabula and Geoffrey Sserunkuma, who minus injury would have certainly got the golden ball.
Final:
Kenya 3 (Paul Oyuga, John Baraza and Dennis Oliech) Tanzania 2 (Emmanuel Gabriel and Mecky Maxime).
Third Place:
Rwanda 2 (Abdul Sibomana and Aziz Baliwuza) Uganda 1 (Isaac Mulyanga)
Past Winners:
Year Winner
2002 Kenya
2001 Ethiopia
2000 Uganda
1999 Rwanda
1998 Not held
1997 Not held
1996 Uganda
1995 Zanzibar
1994 Tanzania
1993 Not held
1992 Uganda
1991 Zambia
1990 Uganda