Guinea ready to take on Uganda Cranes

Sep 09, 2014

Syli Nationale coach Michel Dussuyer is a man well versed with Ugandan football. This will be the third time the Frenchman will be facing the Cranes, the first meeting being the disastrous 2008 Cotonou outing when Benin beat Uganda 4-1.

By James Bakama

Nations Cup qualifier

Wednesday, 7.30pm
Uganda v Guinea

Syli Nationale coach Michel Dussuyer is a man well versed with Ugandan football. This will be the third time the Frenchman will be facing the Cranes, the first meeting being the disastrous 2008 Cotonou outing when Benin beat Uganda 4-1.

Dussuyer, who was at the time in charge of The Squirrels, was again on Benin’s bench when they lost 2-1 at Namboole.

“Uganda has a good home record. The Cranes also have a strong spine in goalkeeper Dennis Onyango, midfielder in Geoffrey “Baba” Kizito and striker Geoffrey Massa,” observed Dussuyer.

Well aware of these strong points, Dussuyer has accordingly prepared.

“It is going to be a difficult match but we are well prepared.” Dussuyer noted that the Cranes put up a commendable show by holding Ghana to a draw in Kumasi.

But he also reminded the hosts that he leads highly motivated troops after their opening win over fancied Togo. Troubled by an Ebola outbreak at home, a tenman Guinea, playing on a neutral ground as a substitute for Conakry, showed scant respect for Emmanuel Adebayor’s Togo, winning 2-1.

Uganda will have some relief over the absence striker Idrissa Sylla. Sylla was red carded after scoring Togo’s winner in Casablanca at the weekend.

Dussuyer also sounded doubtful whether AC Milan right back Kevin Constant would start due to an ankle injury. The visitors still have a solid squad.

They have a rock in seasoned defender Kamil Zayatte. He is back after serving a suspension. Borussia Monchengladbach striker Ibrahima Traore will be yet another figure to closely watch.

Guinea who are staying at J-Frigh Hotel in Makerere Kikoni had their first training session in Uganda last evening at the KCC stadium, Lugogo.

They bring vast Nations Cup experience having featured in the final tournament in 1970, 1974, 1976, 1980, 1994,1998,2004,2006,2008 and 2012. They made the quarterfinals in 2004 and 2008.

Guinea is best known on the continent for its club Hafi a of Conakry, winners of the continent’s top club title in 1972, 1975 and 1977.Hafi a’s first victory in 1972 was after beating Ugandan club Simba in the final.