Assessment

Aug 31, 2008

<b>Cranes stars arrive, Bobby can finally look at his options</b><br><br>Sunday<br>Niger v Uganda <br>Benin v Angola<br><br>BOBBY Williamson will be in position to unearth Cranes’ appropriate attacking partnership in today’s afternoon session expected to have six foreign-based stars in att

Cranes stars arrive, Bobby can finally look at his options

Sunday
Niger v Uganda
Benin v Angola

BOBBY Williamson will be in position to unearth Cranes’ appropriate attacking partnership in today’s afternoon session expected to have six foreign-based stars in attendance.

Cranes, who engage Niger in a crunch World Cup qualifier on Sunday, have not won a game away from home since their 2-1 win over Malawi in 2000.

But with foreign-based strikers Geoffrey Massa, and Geoffrey Sserunkuuma joining in early today morning, the Scot should feel convinced that if such damning static was ever going to change, it will have to be on Sunday.

“When you have the bulk of the team available, it gives you a chance to plan and plot,” the 47-year-old stated.

The presence of Massa and Sserunkuuma will enable Williamson to try and resolve Cranes’ sole area of concern, —the attack that was wrecked by the suspension of in-form striker Eugene Ssepuuya.

Massa, of course remains Cranes’ primary route to goal. What Williamson intends to do is, experiment partnering the Egyptian-based forward with three of the other candidates –Sserunkuuma, Caesar Okhuti and Martin Muwanga.

The Scot intends to stick with the team’s 4-4-2 formation, going with either two strikers playing side by side (Massa and Sserunkuuma), or a lone front-man (Massa) with the other as a make-shift forward playing just behind him.

“I want to do my best for the team on Sunday. I last scored against Lesotho and being a striker that’s not a good record at all,” Massa hinted.

In midfield, contrary to the left side, where Abubaker Tabula and David Obua arrive tomorrow, the Scott will also be able to decide who among Wagaluka, Joseph Kabagambe and Vincent Kayizzi deserves a starting place on the right side of midfield.

Wagaluka has often started there, thanks to the offense-defensive counter-balance he has often held over his usually closest challengers.

At the back, Williamson will only be able to watch Timothy Batabaire, and Andrew Mwesigwa, given that both team captain Ibrahim Sekagya and Nestroy Kizito arrive tomorrow.

In goal, Denis Onyango will try to impress and prove that he is tailor-made for the team’s goalkeeping position.

The team, which commenced residence yesterday, will depart for Niamey on Thursday.

Released players
Five other charges that don’t stand a chance of traveling were released but will regroup with the rest of the team ahead of the Benin qualifier in October.
Ethiopian-based midfielder Patrick Ochan and Steven Bengo were the most prominent omissions on the list. Owen Kasule, Julius Mulindwa and Patrick Senfuka are the others.
The Cranes are attempting to reach the prestigious World Cup for the first time in history and Nations Cup for the first time since 1978.

Is Timbe moving?
It was reported yesterday that Police boss Sam Timbe, Johnston Bagoole and Tony Mawejje could be joining Rwanda-based side Atraco this month.
“They met Atraco officials on Saturday and could move when the Cranes return from Niamey,” a source indicated.

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