Bajope is fast-redeeming himself
UGANDA Cranes were regrettably held in the frosty Maseru capital yesterday, but the scrappy never chipped away remarkable contributions of individuals in the Cranes ranks.
FRED KAWEESI
UGANDA Cranes were regrettably held in the frosty Maseru capital yesterday, but the scrappy never chipped away remarkable contributions of individuals in the Cranes ranks.
The wide-ranging view of Assani Bajope’s display against Lesotho was that it took him closer to the threshold of greatness within the Cranes ranks. We knew he can be a match-winner, a swashbuckling romantic star of St George’s vast and astutely passionate support, but heading into Tuesday’s fixture, with midfield anchor Noah ‘Babadi’ Kasule suspended, it had been apparent that the midfield at the Setsoto stadium would be no place for the fainthearted.
What was seen yesterday was a patriotic Bajope who executed the so-called ‘holding’ functions of the central midfielder’s role even when his counterpart Johnson Bagoole went missing.
His performance was full of skilful artistry and quality. Bajope provided good width throughout for Cranes.
A great passer, great on the ball, what else? His movement off the ball?, Bajope truly lived up to everything but that priceless final pass and probably the goal that Cranes desperately needed to make certain of qualification.
The Congo-born midfielder, who opened his account for the Cranes in 2003 in a 1-0 home win over DR Congo, will undoubtedy be a key figure when Uganda hosts Niger in September —a qualifier that will make-or-break any hopes left in the road to Ghana.
Bajope had a hugely influential spell with the Cranes, before unceremoniously deciding to leave local giants KCC FC and absent himself from subsequent international invitations.
He has since apologised and his determination and will in his back-to-back outings for the Cranes is testimony.
However, there were other bright performances for coach Laszlo Csaba’s outfit, from the tenacious patrolling of team captain Timothy Batabaire to the gangly Dennis Onyango in goal.
There are of course better individuals in the game, but there was no unit more authoritative than the back four Cranes assembled?
It was often a question of balance and organisation rather than personnel, for there were no doubts about the abilities of Nestroy Kizito, Batabaire, Batabaire and Simeon Masaba even without Ibrahim Sekagya.
On the basis of Hassan Mubiru’s lumbering performance, Csaba will be hard-put to justify his continued inclusion in the team.
We have desperately waited to see the real Mubiru involved a bit more in a Cranes shirt and for the umpteenth time, the Denmark-based striker, alongside partner and supposedly Cranes main forward Geoffrey Massa did not do as much as had been expected.
The two failed, and gave way for Eugene Ssepuuya and Geoffrey Sserunkuuma respectively.
Ssepuuya’s show was such a powerful statement that might see him considered seriously for future matches.
UGANDA Cranes were regrettably held in the frosty Maseru capital yesterday, but the scrappy never chipped away remarkable contributions of individuals in the Cranes ranks.
The wide-ranging view of Assani Bajope’s display against Lesotho was that it took him closer to the threshold of greatness within the Cranes ranks. We knew he can be a match-winner, a swashbuckling romantic star of St George’s vast and astutely passionate support, but heading into Tuesday’s fixture, with midfield anchor Noah ‘Babadi’ Kasule suspended, it had been apparent that the midfield at the Setsoto stadium would be no place for the fainthearted.
What was seen yesterday was a patriotic Bajope who executed the so-called ‘holding’ functions of the central midfielder’s role even when his counterpart Johnson Bagoole went missing.
His performance was full of skilful artistry and quality. Bajope provided good width throughout for Cranes.
A great passer, great on the ball, what else? His movement off the ball?, Bajope truly lived up to everything but that priceless final pass and probably the goal that Cranes desperately needed to make certain of qualification.
The Congo-born midfielder, who opened his account for the Cranes in 2003 in a 1-0 home win over DR Congo, will undoubtedy be a key figure when Uganda hosts Niger in September —a qualifier that will make-or-break any hopes left in the road to Ghana.
Bajope had a hugely influential spell with the Cranes, before unceremoniously deciding to leave local giants KCC FC and absent himself from subsequent international invitations.
He has since apologised and his determination and will in his back-to-back outings for the Cranes is testimony.
However, there were other bright performances for coach Laszlo Csaba’s outfit, from the tenacious patrolling of team captain Timothy Batabaire to the gangly Dennis Onyango in goal.
There are of course better individuals in the game, but there was no unit more authoritative than the back four Cranes assembled?
It was often a question of balance and organisation rather than personnel, for there were no doubts about the abilities of Nestroy Kizito, Batabaire, Batabaire and Simeon Masaba even without Ibrahim Sekagya.
On the basis of Hassan Mubiru’s lumbering performance, Csaba will be hard-put to justify his continued inclusion in the team.
We have desperately waited to see the real Mubiru involved a bit more in a Cranes shirt and for the umpteenth time, the Denmark-based striker, alongside partner and supposedly Cranes main forward Geoffrey Massa did not do as much as had been expected.
The two failed, and gave way for Eugene Ssepuuya and Geoffrey Sserunkuuma respectively.
Ssepuuya’s show was such a powerful statement that might see him considered seriously for future matches.