Seven reasons why Cranes managed to draw in Luanda

By Fred Kaweesi
 
With the dust fast settling on Uganda Cranes landmark 1-1 draw against Angola on Sunday and attention now being switched to Saturday’s explosive fixture against Senegal, I will take you through the six reasons why Cranes managed this decent result in Luanda.
 
1.    Hunger and desire
It should be noted that nearly three quarters of the team that traveled to Luanda was a bunch of young men with the hunger and zeal of superseding all expectations. Apart from Denis Onyango, Simeon Masaba, Godfrey Walusimbi, Tony Mawejje and Hassan Wasswa, the rest of the players were making their first trip to Luanda.

Suffice it to say that the five were the only surviving members of the team that battled Angola in last year’s 2-0 defeat. So the hunger and determination to upstage the odds was plenty.

Considering the fact that there were 13 players waiting in the wings, each member of the selected 18 wanted to prove his place in the team.
 
2.    Perfect motivating team talk from Bobby
For those that closely followed Bobby Williamson’s motivation tools since the team arrived in Luanda last Friday in the build-up to Sunday’s game, there was little doubt that Cranes would have the necessary fire power to go all the way.

Bobby handled the groundwork with humour and there was a general feeling of goodwill among all players. He introduced rewards for good behaviour and every other day there would be a winner. On Saturday, Dan Wagaluka was recognized for keeping time while Mike Sserumaga for waking up early. It means the world to these players.
 
3. No room for foul play
FUFA’s comprehensive foul-proof strategy to counter any foul play the hosts would have deployed was effective. FUFA delegate Sam Mpima arrived three days earlier and laid the foundation.

Apart from ensuring that the team suffered no exhaustions on arrival at the airport, the team was booked at Hotel Mana lu, a few miles away from the match-stadia and with guaranteed fine accommodation and environment. The dishes were also superb.
 
4. Tactics were spot on
Cranes coach Bobby Williamson adopted a more cautious approach, deploying a 1-4-2-2-1 formation designed to suffocate Angola through the middle of the park and capitalize on occasional breaks forward.

Williamson’s template had a back five of Godfrey Walusimbi, Henry Kalungi, Hassan Wasswa and Simeon Masaba with team captain Andrew Mwesigwa seated behind the two central defenders Kalungi and Wasswa in a withdrawn role.

With Mudde Musa absent for the particular fixture, Williamson then chose to field an entirely new conventional midfield with Johnston Bagoole and Patrick Ochan.

Bagoole and Ochan were meant to seat back if Angola had possession and only join in attack through the wide areas when Cranes claim back possession.

Although there were a series of nervous moments that had Cranes on the back-foot, with goalkeeper Denis Onyango often on the rescue, the Cranes deserved this draw, as their attacking and expansive approach to the game after switching to a 4-4-2 later into the second half was at times irresistible.
 
5. Superb back four
Against Angola, there was no unit more authoritative than Cranes’ back-four commanded by Andrew Mwesigwa, Godfrey Walusimbi, Henry Kalungi, Hassan Wasswa and Simeon Masaba on the day.

It was often a question of balance and organization rather than personnel. They all worked for each other and former Manchester United striker Contreiras Manucho, who was alleged to be a threat, was completely subdued by Mwesigwa.
 
6. Emmanuel Okwi
This lad has come of age. He has finally reached the level that was expected of him. With him, Cranes will be guaranteed a goal per three chances.

In Luanda, Okwi proved why he has been the light for Tanzanian side Simba. His work rate was unbelievable and because of that Angola’s central defenders were restricted in their own half. He missed two decent chances but the third was converted with the highest level of professionalism.

He ran through the channels brilliantly and from one found himself behind the Angola’s defence before calmly slotting home.
 
7. Hassan Wasswa
Is Wasswa a defender or midfielder? “I think he is better as a defender but he insists on preferring to play in midfield,” Williamson stated before the game.
If the Scot was still in doubt, he might have two minds about that now and probably believe the player.
If there was a reason Angola struggled, it had a lot to do with Wasswa’s combative display in midfield after Patrick Ochan and Johnston Bagoole were withdrawn.
He won all tackles and dictated play. He had aerial presence and physical nous to win every ball. He shielded the back-four well and thwarted all Angola’s belated fight back after Cranes equalizer.