Mutumba, Kizito impress against Hippos in 3-1 win

Cranes’ European-based pair of Martin Mutumba and Fabian Kizito reminded Uganda’s World Cup opponents Angola of what to expect in Sunday’s cracker with two well-taken goals in the team’s 3-1 win over Hippos at Namboole Stadium.

Uganda Super League top scorer Robert Ssentongo justified his 15-goal season tally with the third in the work-out game against Uganda’s U-20 side.

Of course, cynics will claim that such non-competitive matches have no purpose; that more competitive fixtures would have been much better for Cranes new-look side.

Granted, but every minute the team spent developing their partnership as a unit in the afternoon work-out yesterday was time well spent.

If Cranes are to prosper in future competitive fixtures such as the forthcoming game in Luanda, dress rehearsals such as this, are hugely significant.

Cranes boss Bobby Williamson stated before the friendly that his priorities would be presenting a majority of his side an opportunity of shaking off their jet lag, allow the likes of Johnstone Bagoole re-unite with the rest in the Cranes set-up and find answers to the withdrawals of injured first team stars Geoffrey Massa and Mudde Musa.

Under the circumstances, Mutumba and Kizito, whose main strength is good positioning performed fairly well, just as Isaac Isinde and Denis Guma at right-back.

Cranes vice-captain Simeon Masaba was rested for this particular game to allow Guma acquaint himself in a position that has lacked cover over the last six years.

Down the years, the Cranes have been constrained to two holding midfielders (Tony Mawejje and Mudde) but few or no player with extraordinary strength and ability to dribble their way into the opposition from the left or through the central axis.

Mutumba’s low centre of gravity enables him twist and turn quickly, drive away from opponents in confined spaces with his explosive pace, which he did for his goal.

Cranes team: Muwonge (Kimera), Guma, Ochaya (Kavuma), Isinde, Ssali (Ochan), Wasswa (Owino), Bagoole (Okhuti), Matovu (Sserumagga), Mutumba (Walusimbi), Kizito (Okwi), Wagaluka (Ssentongo)
Mutumba and Kizito (background) joined Ssentongo on the scoresheet during Cranes’ 3-0 win
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