No place for faint hearts in CECAFA
Dec 31, 2008
PART of the beauty of tonight’s explosive CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup fixture between archrivals Uganda and Rwanda is it will not particularly mean the end of the world for the home side if it lost at the ultra modern complex.
By Fred Kaweesi
Today, Namboole
Zanzibar v Somalia 5pm
Uganda v Rwanda 7.30pm
PART of the beauty of tonight’s explosive CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup fixture between archrivals Uganda and Rwanda is it will not particularly mean the end of the world for the home side if it lost at the ultra modern complex.
But then, you do not need rocket science to understand what a winning start would do to the confidence of the hosts and a sport whose pride faded with the failure to qualify for the final stages of the 2010 World/Nations Cup qualifiers.
In fact, Cranes’ engagement with the Amavubi possesses all the hallmarks of a life-or-death contest, where anything short of victory, will leave the nation with more than its expectations shattered.
Cranes boss Bobby Williamson last week stated that he’s priorities in the regional championship would be assembling a team that would compete perfectly for major titles in two years –and that winning the championship would be “a bonusâ€.
“We will have our best team out there but you have to notice that we intend to give several young players a chance and this is the best chance to hand them that exposure for experience,†Williamson argued then.
Granted, but the pressures of home teams excelling in any major championship are such that Bobby’s prescribed targets usually count for little. There are no two ways about it –Cranes will still be expected to win it.
With the huge expectations of the entire nation firmly placed on his managerial instincts, the broad-shouldered Williamson should feel the burden of the Herculean task somewhat to heavy to bear as the thousands that will flock Namboole for each of Cranes’ group fixtures, beginning with the game against the Amavubi, will be convinced that the championship is supposed to offer the country its tenth historic title.
Almost five years of disappointment have followed since Uganda last won the regional title in 2003 with Cranes lacking either the players, tactics, the luck or a combination of the three.
Williamson will be expected to have significantly improved the playing standards within the squad he inherited five months ago, restored confidence and will have to play the right players in their right positions.
However, that seems not to be the case! There are already shocks over certain choices made within the team’s starting midfield.
Ugandans might draw much needed inspiration from the fact that Cranes have not lost a game at their fortress since their defeat against South Africa in 2006. But reassuring as this maybe, Cranes should know that this pales into insignificance when compared to their track record against Rwanda.
Aside from losing to the Amavubi in the semi-finals last year, that humiliating 1-0 Nations Cup qualifying defeat in 2003 still sticks.
Rwanda exhibited finesse and astute movement in training, on and off the ball, and Cranes ought to fall back often when without possession. They are bound to territorially dominate the game, meaning Williamson will call upon every bit of muscle from his players to strike a counter-balance particularly in midfield and defence.
The key to success will be keeping a clean sheet though with the Congolese pair of Labama Bokota and Jean Lomami to contend with, it seems a massive task.
Andrew Mwesigwa and Joseph Owino will have to put up their best performances in a Cranes shirt.
Bobby is likely to stick with a 4-4-2 that Cranes are comfortable with, with Caesar Okhuti starting just behind Geoffrey Massa.
probable line-up:
A.Dhaira, S.Masaba, I.Kazibwe, A.Mwesigwa, J.Owino, R.Kimuli, D.Wagaluka, P.Ochan, C.Okhuti, G.Massa, T.Mawejje.
Today, Namboole
Zanzibar v Somalia 5pm
Uganda v Rwanda 7.30pm
PART of the beauty of tonight’s explosive CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup fixture between archrivals Uganda and Rwanda is it will not particularly mean the end of the world for the home side if it lost at the ultra modern complex.
But then, you do not need rocket science to understand what a winning start would do to the confidence of the hosts and a sport whose pride faded with the failure to qualify for the final stages of the 2010 World/Nations Cup qualifiers.
In fact, Cranes’ engagement with the Amavubi possesses all the hallmarks of a life-or-death contest, where anything short of victory, will leave the nation with more than its expectations shattered.
Cranes boss Bobby Williamson last week stated that he’s priorities in the regional championship would be assembling a team that would compete perfectly for major titles in two years –and that winning the championship would be “a bonusâ€.
“We will have our best team out there but you have to notice that we intend to give several young players a chance and this is the best chance to hand them that exposure for experience,†Williamson argued then.
Granted, but the pressures of home teams excelling in any major championship are such that Bobby’s prescribed targets usually count for little. There are no two ways about it –Cranes will still be expected to win it.
With the huge expectations of the entire nation firmly placed on his managerial instincts, the broad-shouldered Williamson should feel the burden of the Herculean task somewhat to heavy to bear as the thousands that will flock Namboole for each of Cranes’ group fixtures, beginning with the game against the Amavubi, will be convinced that the championship is supposed to offer the country its tenth historic title.
Almost five years of disappointment have followed since Uganda last won the regional title in 2003 with Cranes lacking either the players, tactics, the luck or a combination of the three.
Williamson will be expected to have significantly improved the playing standards within the squad he inherited five months ago, restored confidence and will have to play the right players in their right positions.
However, that seems not to be the case! There are already shocks over certain choices made within the team’s starting midfield.
Ugandans might draw much needed inspiration from the fact that Cranes have not lost a game at their fortress since their defeat against South Africa in 2006. But reassuring as this maybe, Cranes should know that this pales into insignificance when compared to their track record against Rwanda.
Aside from losing to the Amavubi in the semi-finals last year, that humiliating 1-0 Nations Cup qualifying defeat in 2003 still sticks.
Rwanda exhibited finesse and astute movement in training, on and off the ball, and Cranes ought to fall back often when without possession. They are bound to territorially dominate the game, meaning Williamson will call upon every bit of muscle from his players to strike a counter-balance particularly in midfield and defence.
The key to success will be keeping a clean sheet though with the Congolese pair of Labama Bokota and Jean Lomami to contend with, it seems a massive task.
Andrew Mwesigwa and Joseph Owino will have to put up their best performances in a Cranes shirt.
Bobby is likely to stick with a 4-4-2 that Cranes are comfortable with, with Caesar Okhuti starting just behind Geoffrey Massa.
probable line-up:
A.Dhaira, S.Masaba, I.Kazibwe, A.Mwesigwa, J.Owino, R.Kimuli, D.Wagaluka, P.Ochan, C.Okhuti, G.Massa, T.Mawejje.