Cranes need all the pros for Zambia tie
Aug 11, 2010
IN the aftermath of Uganda Cranes’ 1-1 draw against Africa Nations Cup regular campaigners Zambia yesterday, there were few fans that left Mandela Stadium gripped with excitement.
By Fred Kaweesi
and Melanie Hughes
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
Result
Uganda 1 Zambia 1
IN the aftermath of Uganda Cranes’ 1-1 draw against Africa Nations Cup regular campaigners Zambia yesterday, there were few fans that left Mandela Stadium gripped with excitement.
The result was somewhat impressive, the best possible outcome from a largely local-based Cranes side, for whom a majority of players were clearly short on match fitness due to the off-season.
But what the tension-packed friendly proved was that Uganda will need all it’s professionals to stand a chance of qualifying when the real qualifying curtains open against Angola on September 4.
David Obua, Tony Mawejje, Nestroy Kizito, Eugene Ssepuya, Andrew Mwesigwa, Johnstone Bagoole and Vincent Kayizzi are all a must.
True, there is an exciting breed of youngsters coming through the domestic front, youngsters that were good enough to claim back-to-back CECAFA Challenge Cup titles.
But that is just that as the demands of serious international football are so high. There were two sides to Cranes performance against Zambia at Mandela Stadium, one that appeared decent and more organized with Ibrahim Sekagya fully in control and the one that lacked direction after Cranes captain Sekagya and fellow professional Geoffrey Massa had been substituted.
In fact, it was a well-worked move that involved Sekagya and Massa that helped the Cranes to a timely equalizer after Simeon Masaba had gifted the visitors with an own goal on 25 minutes.
The former SC Villa right-back, who struggled throughout the game, deflected Simon Bwalya’s right-footed cross past stranded Cranes goalkeeper Richard Odongkara into the net, in one of just two moments that Chipolopolo threatened.
Until then, the Cranes had equally been struggling to create any significant chances, there efforts going forward undermined by Steven Bengo’s heavy frame.
Clearly, Williamson will have to place Bengo on a special diet and a rigorous training regime that will not only eliminate his extra fat but also put him into shape. The youngster’s situation seems to be getting worse.
Aside from one particular free-kick that rattled the post, Bengo and right-footed winger Dan Wagaluka were average to say the least.
Owen Kasule, who was meant to shoulder Cranes creative duties, did not do any better. His defensive mentality, forced Mike Sserumagga into a much more withdrawn role that often isolated Massa upfront.
It however took one moment of brilliance between Massa and Sserumagga to prize-open the Zambian defence.
Massa chested the ball before setting up Sserumagga with a deft touch to level scores on 42 minutes and with the second half not offering much, to eventually preserve Uganda’s 5-year unbeaten record at Mandela Stadium.
and Melanie Hughes
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
Result
Uganda 1 Zambia 1
IN the aftermath of Uganda Cranes’ 1-1 draw against Africa Nations Cup regular campaigners Zambia yesterday, there were few fans that left Mandela Stadium gripped with excitement.
The result was somewhat impressive, the best possible outcome from a largely local-based Cranes side, for whom a majority of players were clearly short on match fitness due to the off-season.
But what the tension-packed friendly proved was that Uganda will need all it’s professionals to stand a chance of qualifying when the real qualifying curtains open against Angola on September 4.
David Obua, Tony Mawejje, Nestroy Kizito, Eugene Ssepuya, Andrew Mwesigwa, Johnstone Bagoole and Vincent Kayizzi are all a must.
True, there is an exciting breed of youngsters coming through the domestic front, youngsters that were good enough to claim back-to-back CECAFA Challenge Cup titles.
But that is just that as the demands of serious international football are so high. There were two sides to Cranes performance against Zambia at Mandela Stadium, one that appeared decent and more organized with Ibrahim Sekagya fully in control and the one that lacked direction after Cranes captain Sekagya and fellow professional Geoffrey Massa had been substituted.
In fact, it was a well-worked move that involved Sekagya and Massa that helped the Cranes to a timely equalizer after Simeon Masaba had gifted the visitors with an own goal on 25 minutes.
The former SC Villa right-back, who struggled throughout the game, deflected Simon Bwalya’s right-footed cross past stranded Cranes goalkeeper Richard Odongkara into the net, in one of just two moments that Chipolopolo threatened.
Until then, the Cranes had equally been struggling to create any significant chances, there efforts going forward undermined by Steven Bengo’s heavy frame.
Clearly, Williamson will have to place Bengo on a special diet and a rigorous training regime that will not only eliminate his extra fat but also put him into shape. The youngster’s situation seems to be getting worse.
Aside from one particular free-kick that rattled the post, Bengo and right-footed winger Dan Wagaluka were average to say the least.
Owen Kasule, who was meant to shoulder Cranes creative duties, did not do any better. His defensive mentality, forced Mike Sserumagga into a much more withdrawn role that often isolated Massa upfront.
It however took one moment of brilliance between Massa and Sserumagga to prize-open the Zambian defence.
Massa chested the ball before setting up Sserumagga with a deft touch to level scores on 42 minutes and with the second half not offering much, to eventually preserve Uganda’s 5-year unbeaten record at Mandela Stadium.