Uganda face Burundi in crucial CAF game
Mar 27, 2010
STAY focused, uphold your discipline and keep in mind the rewards of a comprehensive win today. This will certainly be Coach Bobby Williamson’s pre-match dressing room message before unleashing his youthfully-talented Cranes’ side for the epic Africa Nations Championship qualification fixture ag
By Fred Kaweesi
STAY focused, uphold your discipline and keep in mind the rewards of a comprehensive win today. This will certainly be Coach Bobby Williamson’s pre-match dressing room message before unleashing his youthfully-talented Cranes’ side for the epic Africa Nations Championship qualification fixture against Burundi at Namboole Stadium.
The talk has been done and all that waits to be seen is whether the current group of local-based players is good enough to break into the 2012 Nations Cup qualifying team.
“This is a test for all. They have to prove to me that they have what it takes to compete on a stage that is demanding,†Williamson stated yesterday.
The two sides played out to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the local-based players’ continental tournament in Bujumbura and all that the Cranes are required to do is craft a goalless draw or win to guarantee a date against Kenya in the next round. The Cranes have thankfully built something of a fortress at home.
A 13-match unbeaten run since their last 1-0 defeat to South Africa in 2005 bears testimony to this.
On a cool afternoon when every one will be on the edge of their seats with the fixture delicately poised at 1-1, Cranes players will be under the strictest of orders not to sit back.
Cranes’ match-winning prospects though will largely depend on whether the team will successfully re-adjust to the more offensive 4-3-3 formation against a side that was defensively solid in the first leg.
The team’s togetherness, the desire to accept the ball in the tightest of situations, with colleagues always making space to help out will be extremely fundamental.
Williamson plans to shake each of his players’ hands by the hand, and where necessary offer words of encouragement, particularly youthful goalkeeper Robert Odongkara, who will start in goal as a replacement for injured custodian Hamza Muwonge.
“I am confident he will do an equally good job,†Williamson hinted.
Fitness consultant Robert Ssebugwawo has already done his bit.
“I have done enough to prepare them mentally and that should help them through the game,†Ssebugwawo stated yesterday.
The pain in Burundi’s ranks will stem from Burdji Nahimana, renown throughout the Burundian football for his outstanding finishing abilities.
Not only is Nahimana’s use of the ball masterful, his presence infuses the rest of the team with confidence.
Central defenders Isaac Isinde and Edward Ssali will still be asked to deliver their best performances yet to contain him.
If Musa Mude succeeds in thwarting the visitors’ one-touch approach, then midfielders Sula Matovu, Owen Kasule will alongside the attacking trio of Tony Odur, Ibrahim ‘Sadam’ Juma and Henry Kisekka, prove dreadful and probably decisive. Good luck boys!
STAY focused, uphold your discipline and keep in mind the rewards of a comprehensive win today. This will certainly be Coach Bobby Williamson’s pre-match dressing room message before unleashing his youthfully-talented Cranes’ side for the epic Africa Nations Championship qualification fixture against Burundi at Namboole Stadium.
The talk has been done and all that waits to be seen is whether the current group of local-based players is good enough to break into the 2012 Nations Cup qualifying team.
“This is a test for all. They have to prove to me that they have what it takes to compete on a stage that is demanding,†Williamson stated yesterday.
The two sides played out to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the local-based players’ continental tournament in Bujumbura and all that the Cranes are required to do is craft a goalless draw or win to guarantee a date against Kenya in the next round. The Cranes have thankfully built something of a fortress at home.
A 13-match unbeaten run since their last 1-0 defeat to South Africa in 2005 bears testimony to this.
On a cool afternoon when every one will be on the edge of their seats with the fixture delicately poised at 1-1, Cranes players will be under the strictest of orders not to sit back.
Cranes’ match-winning prospects though will largely depend on whether the team will successfully re-adjust to the more offensive 4-3-3 formation against a side that was defensively solid in the first leg.
The team’s togetherness, the desire to accept the ball in the tightest of situations, with colleagues always making space to help out will be extremely fundamental.
Williamson plans to shake each of his players’ hands by the hand, and where necessary offer words of encouragement, particularly youthful goalkeeper Robert Odongkara, who will start in goal as a replacement for injured custodian Hamza Muwonge.
“I am confident he will do an equally good job,†Williamson hinted.
Fitness consultant Robert Ssebugwawo has already done his bit.
“I have done enough to prepare them mentally and that should help them through the game,†Ssebugwawo stated yesterday.
The pain in Burundi’s ranks will stem from Burdji Nahimana, renown throughout the Burundian football for his outstanding finishing abilities.
Not only is Nahimana’s use of the ball masterful, his presence infuses the rest of the team with confidence.
Central defenders Isaac Isinde and Edward Ssali will still be asked to deliver their best performances yet to contain him.
If Musa Mude succeeds in thwarting the visitors’ one-touch approach, then midfielders Sula Matovu, Owen Kasule will alongside the attacking trio of Tony Odur, Ibrahim ‘Sadam’ Juma and Henry Kisekka, prove dreadful and probably decisive. Good luck boys!