Uganda v Togo: Cranes in a tricky spot
Oct 11, 2014
Uganda’s Nations Cup qualifying opponents Togo are titans in African football. The Sparrow Hawks have not just been to the World Cup —in 2006 —they have been to seven Nations Cup tournaments.
Uganda v Togo (Today, kickoff at 4pm)
By Fred Kaweesi
KAMPALA - Uganda’s Nations Cup qualifying opponents Togo are titans in African football. The Sparrow Hawks have not just been to the World Cup —in 2006 —they have been to seven Nations Cup tournaments.
In Emmanuel Adebayor, Togo boasts of one of Africa’s finest football ambassadors. His instincts were not just appreciated at Arsenal, Manchester City and currently at Tottenham Hotspurs —but in Africa too, after being crowned Africa Player of the Year in 2008.
A lens through these mouthwatering achievements and composition of the entire Togo- lese team, talents of the Ayite brothers (Jonathan and Floyd), Alaixys Romao and Serge Gakpe would bother any team in world football.
But such is the striking and unpredictable aspect of football that all this could count for nothing when Cranes step into Namboole Stadium.
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The Togolese team trains at Namboole Stadium ahead of Saturday's game
The Togolese team trains at Namboole Stadium ahead of Saturday's game
All that Cranes need to do is believe and try to remind African football of their precious qualities that have seen them register some remarkable results over the years.
Uganda does of course build something of a fortress at home. Victories over Ghana, Nigeria and Angola, and a draw against Senegal, previously bear testimony to this. The only point of concern this time though is that Cranes confront a ‘wounded lion’.
The Sparrow Hawks are aware that their fixture against the Cranes is a life-and- death affair.
The West Africans are aware that a third consecutive defeat to Uganda will literally end their hopes of making the 2015 Africa Cup of nations finals in Morocco.
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The hosts, Uganda Cranes, will no doubt feel the pressure imposed by the West African visitors
The hosts, Uganda Cranes, will no doubt feel the pressure imposed by the West African visitors
The visitors have nothing to lose and the pressure will be on Cranes to match their own expectations. What this implies is that if Cranes are to register a massive result, the players will have to play out of their skins and they can —if only they can stop the visitors around the 18-yard area.
“We will have to work as a team. We will need to defend better and create chances. We didn’t create chances against Guinea. We must improve in that area because Togo won’t be easy at all,” striker Geoffrey Massa said on Monday.
“This game means a lot to them. We have to play really well in all areas,” the 28-yearold added.
Whether Cranes roll out in a 4-4-2, 4-3-3 or 4-5- 1 formation, the team’s back-four of Denis Iguma, Godfrey Walusimbi, Andrew Mwesigwa and Savio Kabugo or Isaac Isinde will have to deliver their best performances yet to contain Togo’s experienced attack.
“We all know Adebayor’s strengths. He is good at setpieces. We need to stop the crosses from coming in and try to be as disciplined as possible,” Onyango pointed earlier.
“We will have to stay focused throughout the game. We will have to work for each other,” he added.
#Afcon2015Qualifier Tweets
#Afcon2015Qualifier Tweets
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In Emmanuel Adebayor, Togo boasts of one of Africa’s finest football ambassadors . . .
In Emmanuel Adebayor, Togo boasts of one of Africa’s finest football ambassadors . . .
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. . . and so he will be the man to look out for.
. . . and so he will be the man to look out for.
Tony Mawejje —arguably Cranes most influential player —has constantly adapted and evolved his game within different tactical systems, without compromising his work rate and scoring instincts.
If his midfield partners Khalid Aucho and Geoffrey Kizito can effectively shield the defence and offered Mawejje further license to venture forward, then that could expand Cranes scoring prospects.
The only puzzle is whether Cranes will field an extra striker to support Massa from a pool that includes Emma Sserunkuma, and Yunus Ssentamu) or will opt for a lone frontman to accommodate the mercurial duo of Luwagga Kizito and Moses Oloya.
Oloya is the team’s most creative asset while Luwagga has been recently superb for both club and country.
If Cranes, currently top of group E with four points, win, it will not only strengthen their qualifying prospects, it will also motivate them ahead of the return fixture in Lome on Wednesday.
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We have a plan for Adebayor — Onyango