No rest, Cranes move north

Dec 13, 2010

THERE will be no rest for the national soccer team after the CECAFA Senior challenge Cup as they prepare for the Nile Basin soccer tournament s due January 3-16, 2011.

By Norman Katende

THERE will be no rest for the national soccer team after the CECAFA Senior challenge Cup as they prepare for the Nile Basin soccer tournament s due January 3-16, 2011.

The federation chief executive officer Edgar Watson yesterday confirmed that Uganda will take part in the event, which is organised and sponsored by the Egyptian Football Association.

The Egyptians will cater for the air tickets and full board accommodation for all the visiting teams according to the invitation letter from the Egyptian FA president Samir Hazel. All invited must enter their national senior teams in the event.

“We will meet and discuss the modalities of the competition as participating,” said Watson.

National coach Robert Williamson had said that Uganda will participate in the event as a build up for the Africa Championship finals due in Sudan next year.

Williamson, who has got a vote of confidence from FUFA boss Lawrence Mulindwa, said that he was now focussed on future engagements, adds Abdallah Mubiru from Dar es Salaam.

“I am disappointed for not having won the trophy. I believe we were the best team. With this team, we are capable of winning CHAN and also qualify for Africa Nations Cup, and the World Cup,” Williamson stated.

“I am now fully focused on CHAN and Nations Cup qualifying fixtures. We will look to introduce new players to give the team new energy and I am extremely proud to be the Cranes coach, it means so much to me and I am determined to succeed.”

Williamson has guided the Cranes to two back to back CECAFA titles (2008 & 2009) with an impressive record in African Nations Cup qualifiers where his side is leading Group J on four points.

Mulindwa said Williamson was the best in the region.

“Irrespective of the results in the CECAFA tournament, I still believe that in Bobby we have the best coach in the region. All I have to say is: ‘Thank you Bobby for work well done’,” said Mulindwa.

A Ugandan businessman in Dar es Salaam Justus Baguma hosted the Cranes to a party on Sunday to thank them for the job done. He handed $1000 (sh2.3m) to captain Andy Mwesigwa to be shared among the players.



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