Sergio warns cranes
Jul 22, 2009
UGANDA’S hopes of registering a historic victory over Allem Brazil this Friday will depend on whether the Cranes successfully shut out the South Americans’ experienced striker Paulo Sergio.
By Fred Kaweesi
UGANDA’S hopes of registering a historic victory over Allem Brazil this Friday will depend on whether the Cranes successfully shut out the South Americans’ experienced striker Paulo Sergio.
Aside from priding himself with a World Cup medal, Uefa Champions League medal, and three domestic league titles with German giants Bayern Munich, Cranes coach Bobby Williamson will also have to design a strategy that will combat a striker, who managed over 300 club (Roma, Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern) career goals.
“We have not lost a game on our travels and we have heard that Uganda are regional champions. We are extremely prepared because we are not ready to lose our (seven-match) unbeaten record in Uganda,†said the 36-year-old, part of the 23-man contingent that arrives at 7pm today.
The visitors will certainly play an attacking game, applying consistent pressure on Cranes with speed and power through Sergio and attacking partner Giovanni, formerly with Barcelona, with Ze Carlos, who was part of the 1998 World Cup team and Jose Guilherme, occupying the wide positions.
On the evidence of yesterday’s workout, Cranes’ fitness levels on and off the ball, seemed to have improved.
Williamson intends to continue with the 4-4-2 formation deployed in the friendly wins against Sudan (2-0), Malawi (2-1) and Ghana.
He knows his starting team. Hamza Muwonge will start in goal, with Simeon Masaba, Habib Kavuma, Jimmy Mukubya and Musa Doka, making the back-four.
In midfield, the Scot will have Mude Musa and Patrick Ochan, with Steven Bengo and Simon Sserunkuma occupying the wide positions.
Robert Ssentongo, Caesar Okhuti, Bruno Olobo, Tony Odur and Peter Ssenyonjo are competing for the two attacking slots.
Pepsi will facilitate the team’s tours and will offer every fan a free soda at the stadium.
* Brian Umony announced his arrival in South Africa with a trade-mark poachers-goal’ that helped SuperSport United to their first domestic trophy after a 2-0 win over Dundee United in the Mopani Cup Sunday.
With the score at 1-0, the Cranes striker came off the bench in the 69th minute, and relieved the ten-man South African champions with the second with just his second touch in the game.
Umony joined SuperSport last month, with intentions of helping them to titles before moving to Europe. Fellow Ugandan Dennis Onyango was also outstanding in goal.
* A Danish footballer from league leaders FC Nordsjaelland was in a coma on Tuesday after being struck by lightning during a match in Copenhagen.
Jonathan Richter, a 24-year-old midfielder, was struck during a non-league match against FC Hvidovre on Monday and remains in a coma, FC Nordsjaelland spokesman Christian Wolny said.
“He is on a respirator and has been cooled down to increase his chances. When the doctors think it is the right time they will increase it to normal body temperature and see if they can wake him up,†Wolny told Reuters.
UGANDA’S hopes of registering a historic victory over Allem Brazil this Friday will depend on whether the Cranes successfully shut out the South Americans’ experienced striker Paulo Sergio.
Aside from priding himself with a World Cup medal, Uefa Champions League medal, and three domestic league titles with German giants Bayern Munich, Cranes coach Bobby Williamson will also have to design a strategy that will combat a striker, who managed over 300 club (Roma, Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern) career goals.
“We have not lost a game on our travels and we have heard that Uganda are regional champions. We are extremely prepared because we are not ready to lose our (seven-match) unbeaten record in Uganda,†said the 36-year-old, part of the 23-man contingent that arrives at 7pm today.
The visitors will certainly play an attacking game, applying consistent pressure on Cranes with speed and power through Sergio and attacking partner Giovanni, formerly with Barcelona, with Ze Carlos, who was part of the 1998 World Cup team and Jose Guilherme, occupying the wide positions.
On the evidence of yesterday’s workout, Cranes’ fitness levels on and off the ball, seemed to have improved.
Williamson intends to continue with the 4-4-2 formation deployed in the friendly wins against Sudan (2-0), Malawi (2-1) and Ghana.
He knows his starting team. Hamza Muwonge will start in goal, with Simeon Masaba, Habib Kavuma, Jimmy Mukubya and Musa Doka, making the back-four.
In midfield, the Scot will have Mude Musa and Patrick Ochan, with Steven Bengo and Simon Sserunkuma occupying the wide positions.
Robert Ssentongo, Caesar Okhuti, Bruno Olobo, Tony Odur and Peter Ssenyonjo are competing for the two attacking slots.
Pepsi will facilitate the team’s tours and will offer every fan a free soda at the stadium.
* Brian Umony announced his arrival in South Africa with a trade-mark poachers-goal’ that helped SuperSport United to their first domestic trophy after a 2-0 win over Dundee United in the Mopani Cup Sunday.
With the score at 1-0, the Cranes striker came off the bench in the 69th minute, and relieved the ten-man South African champions with the second with just his second touch in the game.
Umony joined SuperSport last month, with intentions of helping them to titles before moving to Europe. Fellow Ugandan Dennis Onyango was also outstanding in goal.
* A Danish footballer from league leaders FC Nordsjaelland was in a coma on Tuesday after being struck by lightning during a match in Copenhagen.
Jonathan Richter, a 24-year-old midfielder, was struck during a non-league match against FC Hvidovre on Monday and remains in a coma, FC Nordsjaelland spokesman Christian Wolny said.
“He is on a respirator and has been cooled down to increase his chances. When the doctors think it is the right time they will increase it to normal body temperature and see if they can wake him up,†Wolny told Reuters.