Cranes humble Rwanda's Amavubi Stars
Dec 13, 2009
CRANES coach Bobby Williamson was visibly a happy man yesterday. A second CECAFA title in barely a year and $60,000 in winners’ prizes would make anyone toast.
By James Bakama
CRANES coach Bobby Williamson was visibly a happy man yesterday. A second CECAFA title in barely a year and $60,000 in winners’ prizes would make anyone toast.
The Briton can since the German tactician Burkhard Pape over three decades ago count himself as the most successful Cranes foreign coach. But even with all this glory, there is a nagging challenge deep within the Scotsman.
Williamson will only settle after transforming his CECAFA success into a slot in the Nations Cup finals.
“My next target is the Nations Cup,†Williamson told journalists in the Kenyan capital after beating Rwanda 2-0 in the final. David Otti and Peter Okee are the men he must emulate. The duo not only led the Cranes to regional glory in the seventies, but also followed up with appearances on the continental stage.
Otti, who had featured as a midfielder in the continental finals in the sixties, was the man in charge before that golden performance when Okee led Uganda to the 1978 final. Uganda has since won eight CECAFA titles though a slot in the continent’s top tournament remains elusive.
Williamson’s determination to lift the Cranes back to their rightful position on the continental stage is therefore understandable. Ugandans have also come to believe the Scotsman more than his predecessor Laszlo Csaba.
Csaba was viewed more as an escapist who always tried to justify his CECAFA failures with absence of his foreign based players. Williamson has, to the contrary, been more pragmatic making good use of home based players to win two titles with virtually no prior African experience.
Wagaluka, Okwi ensures Cranes win,/big>
DAN Wagaluka and Emma Okwi whose scores yesterday ensured Uganda Cranes lifted their 11th Senior Challenge Cup in Nairobi, reports Reuben Olita.
Uganda started the match against the Rwanda Amavubi Stars on a flying note, earning three corners
within the first eight minutes but Geoffrey Massa and Steven Bengo’s efforts failed to bear fruits.
The Cranes took a deserved lead after 42 minutes when a goalmouth scramble from Massa’s left foot cross was Dan Wagaluka to give Uganda a 1-0 lead at half time. It was also Wagaluka’s second goal of the meet.
The goal that killed the spirits of the fighting Amavubi Stars came in the 73rd minute when super sub Okwi capitalized on the blunder of Rwandan defender, Donattiene Tuyizere to score with ease.
Okwi was just one minute on after replacing Patrick Ochan in the match that saw Uganda suffer a set back after 52 minutes when captain Andy Mwesigwa was carried off the field after sustaining chest injuries. He was replaced by Musa Doka.
“The title was a personal tribute to all Ugandans of goodwill who supported the team through prayers and moral support,†an elated Cranes coach, Robert Williamson said after the match.
William said it was a difficult march for them but they came out victors at the end of the day to signify the true spirit of the team that shrugged off numerous challenges prior to the tournament to carry the day.
His Rwandan counterpart, Eric Nshimiyimana conceded defeat saying Uganda played a good game and deserved to win.
“I respect Ugandans. They played a good tactical game and got the second goal that killed the spirits of my players who were fighting to come back into the game,’ he said.
The Cranes captain Andy Mwesigwa said he was proud to be in the winning team, adding that it was also historic that Uganda won back-to-back titles three times since the inception of the tournament in 1973.
CRANES coach Bobby Williamson was visibly a happy man yesterday. A second CECAFA title in barely a year and $60,000 in winners’ prizes would make anyone toast.
The Briton can since the German tactician Burkhard Pape over three decades ago count himself as the most successful Cranes foreign coach. But even with all this glory, there is a nagging challenge deep within the Scotsman.
Williamson will only settle after transforming his CECAFA success into a slot in the Nations Cup finals.
“My next target is the Nations Cup,†Williamson told journalists in the Kenyan capital after beating Rwanda 2-0 in the final. David Otti and Peter Okee are the men he must emulate. The duo not only led the Cranes to regional glory in the seventies, but also followed up with appearances on the continental stage.
Otti, who had featured as a midfielder in the continental finals in the sixties, was the man in charge before that golden performance when Okee led Uganda to the 1978 final. Uganda has since won eight CECAFA titles though a slot in the continent’s top tournament remains elusive.
Williamson’s determination to lift the Cranes back to their rightful position on the continental stage is therefore understandable. Ugandans have also come to believe the Scotsman more than his predecessor Laszlo Csaba.
Csaba was viewed more as an escapist who always tried to justify his CECAFA failures with absence of his foreign based players. Williamson has, to the contrary, been more pragmatic making good use of home based players to win two titles with virtually no prior African experience.
Wagaluka, Okwi ensures Cranes win,/big>
DAN Wagaluka and Emma Okwi whose scores yesterday ensured Uganda Cranes lifted their 11th Senior Challenge Cup in Nairobi, reports Reuben Olita.
Uganda started the match against the Rwanda Amavubi Stars on a flying note, earning three corners
within the first eight minutes but Geoffrey Massa and Steven Bengo’s efforts failed to bear fruits.
The Cranes took a deserved lead after 42 minutes when a goalmouth scramble from Massa’s left foot cross was Dan Wagaluka to give Uganda a 1-0 lead at half time. It was also Wagaluka’s second goal of the meet.
The goal that killed the spirits of the fighting Amavubi Stars came in the 73rd minute when super sub Okwi capitalized on the blunder of Rwandan defender, Donattiene Tuyizere to score with ease.
Okwi was just one minute on after replacing Patrick Ochan in the match that saw Uganda suffer a set back after 52 minutes when captain Andy Mwesigwa was carried off the field after sustaining chest injuries. He was replaced by Musa Doka.
“The title was a personal tribute to all Ugandans of goodwill who supported the team through prayers and moral support,†an elated Cranes coach, Robert Williamson said after the match.
William said it was a difficult march for them but they came out victors at the end of the day to signify the true spirit of the team that shrugged off numerous challenges prior to the tournament to carry the day.
His Rwandan counterpart, Eric Nshimiyimana conceded defeat saying Uganda played a good game and deserved to win.
“I respect Ugandans. They played a good tactical game and got the second goal that killed the spirits of my players who were fighting to come back into the game,’ he said.
The Cranes captain Andy Mwesigwa said he was proud to be in the winning team, adding that it was also historic that Uganda won back-to-back titles three times since the inception of the tournament in 1973.