Cranes to confront Blackburn's Samba in Congo defense

By Fred Kaweesi

February 29

Africa Cup of Nations

Congo v Uganda

IF you asked a cluster of English Premier League strikers to identify an appropriate nickname for Congo Brazzaville captain Christopher Samba, the responses would be interesting.

Depending on whichever forward you interviewed, overall consensus would label the Blackburn defender as a ‘rock-solid figure’.

With the build of a heavy weight boxer, Samba, at 6ft 4in, is the sort of uncompromising character you need for a must-win clash —the main reason Congo have overlooked his troubles at Blackburn and asked him to steer Congo to victory over Uganda Cranes on February 29.For the last three weeks, Samba has been inactive after opting to strike in order to force his way out of Ewood Park.

But Congo coach Jean Guy Wallemme seemed to cares less as he named the gangly star in his 20-man squad scheduled to confront a Cranes side still coming to terms with reality of life after their previous captain Ibrahim Sekagya.

“On a good day, nothing can get past me,” Samba stated recently, ahead of his grueling encounters with Cranes strikers Geoffrey Massa and Brian Umony.

On Monday, Sekagya called time on his 15-year career with the Cranes and in the process handed Cranes coach Bobby Williamson

an unwelcome and ill-timed challenge of identifying a suitable replacement that will partner Andrew Mwesigwa ahead of this year’s Africa and World Cup qualifying fixture list.

Cranes’ first hurdle will come in Pointe Noire next Wednesday where Wallemme will roll out a fairly decent side, whose attacking spine comprises Auxerre

midfielder Christopher Missilou, Prince Oniangue, strikers Matt Moussilou, Ladislas Douniama and winger Lys Mouithys.

Congo’s 130th position in the FIFA rankings and disastrous run in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers might provide an air of encouragement but equally important is how such statistics have at times proved deceptive.

The five French-based players were at the heart of Congo’s 5-0 mauling of Sao Tome in their last international friendly in November.

In Brazzaville, Congo will play an attacking game, applying consistent pressure on the Cranes in wide areas.

That and the devastating abilities of Samba from set-piece situations are what Cranes should be prepared to counter.

During the previous campaign, while Mwesigwa opted for a no-nonsense approach of sweeping and heading all thrown into Cranes’ half, his defensive partner Sekagya embraced the qualities of timely tackling and brilliant game reading to soothing effect.

There was chemistry between the pair that Williamson will have to replicate from the options available in a pool that includes Isaac Isinde, Hassan Wasswa, and Israel Emuge.

Congo squad: Goalkeepers:B.Mouko (LOSC, France), C.Massa (Black Devils, Congo), M.Gildas (Dolisie, Congo), Defenders: C.Samba (Blackburn, England), M.Lepicier Tsonga (Mons, Belgium), B.Abdoulaye (Metz, France), F.Nganga (Tower, France), F.Gonbessa (Dolisie, Congo), Midfielders: D.Ndinga (Auxerre, France), O.Ewolo (Brest, France), P.Oniangue (Tours, France), G.Necessary (Lepoard, Congo), C.Missilou (Auxerre, France), C.Malonga (Monaco, France), H.Tchiloumbou (Red Devils, Congo), Forwards: M.Moussilou (Laussane, Switzerland), G.Fode (Angers, France), L.Douniama (Lorient, France), F.Ondama (Ittihad, EA), Lys Mouithys (WAC Casablanca, Morocco)