CHAN: Hamis Kiiza tips Cranes

By Fred Kaweesi and Swalley Kenyi 

Africa Nations Championship

Tanzania v Uganda

Friendly results

Uganda Cranes 3 Select team 1

Uganda Cranes 2 Select team 2

HAMIS Kiiza is not in Dar with the Cranes, but is well qualified to pass judgment on just about anything about Uganda's game plan as they preapre to face Tanzania in CHAN on Saturday. 

The Cranes will confront the Taifa Stars in what should be an explosive first leg of the local-based player’s championship but one coach Micho Sredojevic’s charges will successfully negotiate if they can frustrate the home side for the first 30 minutes.

“That game will be won or lost in the first 30 minutes. From what I know as has been their style at home, they will attack from the start and try to get an early goal,” Kiiza who is ineligible to play for Cranes due to his foreign-based status told New Vision Sport yesterday.

“So Cranes will have to be mentally steady and cautious to be able to frustrate them for that period.” Kiiza added; “If they can achieve that, the fans will lose patience, begin grumbling and the two sets of fans (Simba and Yanga), who dominate their fan base will begin blaming each other’s players as the game proceeds.

“I have spoken to most of the team’s players and the reality is they fear us. But it also hurts them that we have beaten them several times. They are fired up.”

Micho is determined to assemble his best possible side if it means offloading experienced players deemed unsuitable for the assignment.

The Serbian has dropped Owen Kasule, a veteran midfielder, who has featured in the previous CHAN tournament.

“Owen is senior player, I respect him but I wanted players who can win and play the ball unfortunately his style does not favour our current approach,” Micho explained ahead of the team’s departure today.

Goalkeepers: H.Muwonge, A.Kimera.

Defenders: N. Wadada, D. Iguma Denis, R. Kasaaga, Y. Mukisa, R. Malinga, F. Kawooya, A. Kisalita, S. Kabugo

Midfielders: I. Ntege, M. Birungi, B. Majwega, H. Wasswa, J. Mpande, R. Muganga, S. Kyeyune, A. Feni, F. Kalanda 

Strikers: P. Edema, W. Herman and T. Odur.