Rwanda plays mind games as they host Uganda Kobs

May 23, 2015

Uganda Kobs head coach Micho Sredojevic has urged his players and the rest of the officials currently in Kigali to avoid focusing on mind games and conspiracy theories that the hosts seem to use to swerve attention from the 2016 Africa Olympic Qualifier.

By Swalley Kenyi

Saturday 4:30pm

2016 Africa Olympic Qualifier

Second round, first leg

Rwanda v Uganda

KIGALI - Uganda Kobs head coach Micho Sredojevic has urged his players and the rest of the officials currently in Kigali to avoid focusing on mind games and conspiracy theories that the hosts seem to use to swerve attention from the 2016 Africa Olympic Qualifier.

The Kobs are in Kigali to take on the hosts Young Amavubi in the second round first leg qualifiers at Amahoro stadium at 4:30pm Uganda time.

The team had planned to fly back at least two hours after the game which Rwanda Air had cancelled.

FERWAFA officials have also been seen stealthily exchanging telephone contacts with the match referees from Djibouti after pre-match meeting at the football federation offices at Amahoro stadium. 

“I have been here before and I know what these people are capable of both on the field of play and outside it. But I can tell you it can be meant to divert you. Let’s forget about conspiracy theories and focus on the field of play,” Micho said.

The Uganda Kobs pre-match training at Amahoro stadium last evening attracted a sizeable crowd while the home side tactician, Johnny McKinstry, watching from a distance showed a laid back position.

FERWAFA has opted to charge an equivalence of sh3000 minimum fee for the match in a bid to attract as many fans as possible but still fear that Ugandan fans here are likely to outnumber the Rwandese interested in cheering their team.

It's Kobs’ first choice goalkeeper Salim Jamal, team captain Farouk Miya, Keziron Kizito and Tom Masiko, who have attracted so much attention as local journalists have continued warning the Young Amavubi ahead from the encounter Saturday.

Vipers' Miya scored the lone goal between the Uganda Cranes - Super Eagles' friendly in March that left the African stars stunned on home soil.

Jamal's return to Amahoro after a brilliant performance with his Sudanese club El Merriek while Miya sends chills down the spine of many Rwandese after his all-important goal in a friendly sung one of Africa’s giants Nigeria away.           

Striker Umar Kasumba has been ruled out with an arm injury.

In an interview, a local journalist Rumario Abdu Gabar noted that, “although the Young Amavubi will field more than half of the senior Amavubi players, they will have to extra mile to beat you (Uganda). 

That said the Kobs will need to deny the home side set pieces or similar situations. Rwanda’s team captain Emily Baisenge is their kingpin in defense and set pieces while Michael Rushesangago will be out to overlap in the right flank.
 

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