Csaba’s tactics were excellent for Cranes

Fred kaweesi

ON a bright Sunday morning, Uganda Cranes’ head coach Laszlo Csaba took a stroll in the sunshine and enjoyed the delights of his apartment in Mbuya. Later, as the weather grew chilly, the 43-year-old returned to the sitting room and evidently relaxed, began contemplating over his team’s thunderous 3-1 over African giants Angola the previous day.

The German tactician has previously come under unprecedented censure and criticism for failing in his five primary roles such as choosing the right tactics, selecting the right players, getting the best performance out of these players, making tactical adjustments where necessary and most importantly, squeezing results out of nothing.

Yet on an eventful Saturday afternoon, Csaba excelled in most, if not all. That is not to say he is eventually the best. You can never turn out to be the best just overnight.
But against Angola he did defy a few of his critics courtesy of well-taken strikes from Eugene Sepuya, Andrew Mwesigwa and Dan Wagaluka.

Even though the visitors managed a consolation at the death through Pedro Manuel Mantorras, Csaba’s 11 cards totally deserved this unexpected win.

Throughout the game, he chose a game plan and stuck to it, his supreme confidence pervaded the entire side and he kept his charges in line without tinkering unnecessarily.
Wagaluka and Sserunkuuma were positive substitutes, with the later adding pace to the side.

In the last four days, Csaba seemed to have given the side precisely what it needed. They were always technically good but lacked mental awareness, ball possession aptitude and tactical discipline. That discipline was fundamental to their success, with just two yellow cards against Joseph Kabagambe and Abubaker Tabula.
“The recovery after that defeat was superb. We did everything right. We simply want Ugandans to support us,” Csaba stated.
He designed a strategy where his side would stifle their opponents’ game – especially in the central midfield – and prevent individuals from expressing themselves.

Tough decisions
If opting for Andrew Mwesigwa at the expense of Simeon Masaba at right-back was some sort of surprise, then how about the unpredictable thought of installing the untried and untested combination of Johnston Bagoole and Mike Serumaga at the heart of midfield?
Ignoring first team choice Assan Bajope and probably Jimmy Kidega or Sulaiman Tenywa in the holding role demanded a lot of courage.

Bagoole’s telepathic understanding with Serumaga, great vision and simple approach were proof that the months’ he had spent on the sidelines were times well spent working on and developing his game. Just like Sserumaga, Bagoole took his chance with both hands and the way he had waited in the wings without complaining was a great example to all the rest.

Mwesigwa’s presence was a well-thought inclusion. Csaba felt, the Iceland-based defender would offer the perfect physical counter-balance to Angola’s wing-play.
He and Nestroy Kizito excelled in thwarting the visitor’s attempts at floating crosses into Cranes’ 18-yard, some sort of relief given Cranes custodian Denis Onyango’s modest abilities in dealing with aerial balls.

Team play
Cranes had simply been the Cranes— fantastic movement, and always making up for each other’s inadequacies.
There are of course better individuals in the game, but is there a unit more authoritative than the back four Cranes assembled?

It was often a question of balance and organization rather than personnel, for there were no doubts about the abilities of Kizito, Timothy Batabaire, Captain Ibrahim Sekagya and Mwesigwa.
Other than Norberto Mulenesa Maurito’s long range strike that Onyango had to contend with, Angola lead striker Amado Flavio was reduced to a pedestrian. Flavio must have been proud of his counterpart at the opposite end Ssepuuya, whose opening strike before limping off injured, left the Angolans torn and tormented. He made many marvel at his performance.
Cranes will continue to prove too good for most teams if they continue to be positive.

The game in Luanda will be sterner, but the hosts will still find problems containing the likes of Sepuya, Serumaga and Wagaluka who grabbed the headlines.

Sh1.5m bonus for each
Never has Ugandan football invested so much in pursuit of qualification glory. Cranes first team side had a million reasons to be excited on Saturday after pocketing a whooping sh1.5m as a reward for the historic win.

Cranes player ratings

Denis Onyango 7
Onyango virtually had nothing to thwart and the real moment he was tested, he could not thwart Manuel Mantorras’ free-kick.

Andy Mwesigwa 8
He started formidably with superb tackling. Mwesigwa was always battling and completed his fine day with the second goal.

Nestroy Kizito 8
Kizito was capable enough without calamity moments. He completely dealt with Angola’s wing-play and showed strong nerves in the face of Ze Kalanga.

Timothy Batabaire 8
Batabaire was athletic and solid as a rock. He’s uncompromising nature in the tackle and aerial presence dealt with everything Angola threw at the team.

Ibrahim Sekagya 8
The Cranes captain was elegant and composed. He held his lines admirably, with a calm demeanour and quality distribution throughout the game.

Johnston Bagoole 7
The URA FC midfielder worked tiressly as an anchor and spoiler. His movement upfront in support of Sserumaga were equally encouraging.

J. Kabagambe 7
Kabagambe got in great positions at the start though had yet to deliver at the time of being substituted with Dan Wagaluka (7), who struck the third.

Mike Serumaga 9
He proved himself a player of such breathtaking grace, composure and intelligence in just his first competitive debut. His vision in tight situations was also a joy.

E. Sepuya 9
He was Cranes’ star-man. Two goals in two games. His first strike was an amalgamation of excellent vision and precision. G.Sserunkunkuma (7) was fine.

David Obua 7
Obua should have done better after teasing Angola custodian Lama. His movement off the ball was impressive and set up two of the goals. Assan Bajope (7) was OK.

Abubaker Tabula 7
Tabula offered offense-defensive counter-balance, and occasionally supporting Sserumaga. One of his brilliant corners helped Mwesigwa to Cranes’ second goal.