Micho confident of CHAN qualification

By Hasfa Ssonko in Dar es Salaam

Africa Nations Championship Qualifier

Tanzania 0 Uganda 1

CRANES coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic believes his charges will qualify for the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) soccer finals set for South Africa in January and February next year.

The Serbian coach’s optimism is drawn from the team’s 1-0 victory over Tanzania at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

Denis Iguma’s goal shortly after the break silenced the home team’s fans. The return leg is due in Kampala on July 27.

Cranes can even afford to settle for a draw to compete at the CHAN finals for the second successive occasion.

At the 2011 finals held in

Sudan, Uganda failed to go past the group stages after losing all their three games. 

Third win

Yesterday’s win was also the third for Sredojevic since he took over last month from the sacked Scot Bobby Williamson.

Sredojevic led the team for the CHAN game after masterminding wins over Angola and Liberia in World Cup qualifying games held at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole last month.

The coach, speaking with a lot of confidence said after the latest win said that, “We have already booked our ticket to South Africa. What we are left with is to get visas”

Sredojevic hastened to add, “the boys’ performance was clinical. They eased my work.” The coach defended his tactical decisions.

He opted to employ Brian Majwega, who normally plays on the left wing as a left back.

Majwega shines

The player rewarded his boss with a confident performance denying the hosts chances at goal.

“Any talented player can play anywhere so Brian followed by instructions and performed well.” the coach remarked.

Sredojevic also switched Iguma from defence to the midfield. The player then moved forward to score the decisive goal.

Tanzania’s coach Kim Poulsen conceded defeat saying that Uganda deserved to win the match. Poulsen said his players failed to utilize their chances, adding that they face an uphill situation in the return leg.

Meanwhile, outgoing FUFA president Lawrence Mulindwa promised a handsome reward after the team returns home.

For a start, Mulindwa offered each player 400 dollars (sh1m) after the game.

“I have one game left as FUFA president and this has been a wonderful way to say goodbye to me.” Mulindwa stated.

The official declined to seek a fresh mandate at the next assembly of the domestic game’s governing body on August 31.

It’s Magogo

Moses Magogo, the vice president in charge of administration in the present regime, will take over the top job.

Magogo is unopposed following the nomination exercise held recently. 

Elsewhere, the CHAN finals will be held in the cities of Polokwane, Kimberley, Bloemfontein, and Cape Town.