Cranes' coach sorry over Niger loss
Sep 10, 2008
CRANES head coach Robert Williamson has apologised for the team’s 3-1 loss to hitherto winless Niger in the 2010 World/Nations Cup qualifier on Sunday, a result that virtually ended Uganda’s chances of progressing to the next stage.
By Swalley Kenyi
October 12
Uganda v Benin
Angola v Niger
CRANES head coach Robert Williamson has apologised for the team’s 3-1 loss to hitherto winless Niger in the 2010 World/Nations Cup qualifier on Sunday, a result that virtually ended Uganda’s chances of progressing to the next stage.
The Scot cited weaknesses in all departments of the squad and promised changes in the last game against Benin here on October 12.
Addressing the press at the PostBank FUFA weekly press conference in Mengo on the team’s return yesterday, Williamson, dressed in a Cranes jersey looking tense and tired, was careful to apportion blame on particular players.
He insisted that the loss did not reflect the team’s performance on the pitch but conceded that the opponents ‘deflated’ his players in the second half. Niger came from a goal down replying with three strikes in the second half.
“The players gave their best. We are sorry; we did not deserve to lose. I’m disappointed because the score line does not reflect the performance,†he said. “We lost the game but we have not lost the campaign.â€
The Cranes are tied on seven points with Angola in Group Three but are ranked third because of an inferior goal difference. Benin have already advanced to the next stage as group winners.
Uganda’s prayer is that their captors in Niamey humiliate Angola away and the Cranes beat Benin at Namboole to finish the preliminary stages in second place on the table standings.
Williamson narrated how some of his players broke down to tears at the last whistle. The coach called on fresh concentration for the Benin game in order to secure a win and keep the team on course.
To Williamson, it is the match against Benin that will decide his fate in Uganda following the performance-based agreement he heeded to three weeks ago.
The coach said that he would personally endeavour to keep track of both local and foreign-based players to learn each of them in order to appropriately plan for October 12.
He said that although he had delegated his assistant Sam Timbe to handle the team, he was forced to get involved in Niger in making some decisions.
Team captain Ibrahim Sekagya, Timothy Batabaire and David Obua connected back to their respective clubs from Niamey while Abubakar Tabula and Mike Sserumaga flew back last night.
October 12
Uganda v Benin
Angola v Niger
CRANES head coach Robert Williamson has apologised for the team’s 3-1 loss to hitherto winless Niger in the 2010 World/Nations Cup qualifier on Sunday, a result that virtually ended Uganda’s chances of progressing to the next stage.
The Scot cited weaknesses in all departments of the squad and promised changes in the last game against Benin here on October 12.
Addressing the press at the PostBank FUFA weekly press conference in Mengo on the team’s return yesterday, Williamson, dressed in a Cranes jersey looking tense and tired, was careful to apportion blame on particular players.
He insisted that the loss did not reflect the team’s performance on the pitch but conceded that the opponents ‘deflated’ his players in the second half. Niger came from a goal down replying with three strikes in the second half.
“The players gave their best. We are sorry; we did not deserve to lose. I’m disappointed because the score line does not reflect the performance,†he said. “We lost the game but we have not lost the campaign.â€
The Cranes are tied on seven points with Angola in Group Three but are ranked third because of an inferior goal difference. Benin have already advanced to the next stage as group winners.
Uganda’s prayer is that their captors in Niamey humiliate Angola away and the Cranes beat Benin at Namboole to finish the preliminary stages in second place on the table standings.
Williamson narrated how some of his players broke down to tears at the last whistle. The coach called on fresh concentration for the Benin game in order to secure a win and keep the team on course.
To Williamson, it is the match against Benin that will decide his fate in Uganda following the performance-based agreement he heeded to three weeks ago.
The coach said that he would personally endeavour to keep track of both local and foreign-based players to learn each of them in order to appropriately plan for October 12.
He said that although he had delegated his assistant Sam Timbe to handle the team, he was forced to get involved in Niger in making some decisions.
Team captain Ibrahim Sekagya, Timothy Batabaire and David Obua connected back to their respective clubs from Niamey while Abubakar Tabula and Mike Sserumaga flew back last night.