Is Miya the striker Uganda has been waiting for?
Nov 15, 2015
Watching the Cranes beat Togo on Sunday, I got this feeling that we finally have a striking line that can deliver.
By James Bakama
Watching the Cranes beat Togo on Sunday, I got this feeling that we finally have a striking line that can deliver.
You have certainly not forgotten those days when our attack was lacking. For almost a decade we have lacked strikers who can consistently deliver on their main role.
There would be those long spells when our men upfront seemed clueless on how to put the ball into the net.
No wonder on many occasions it took efforts from defenders like Ibrahim Sekagya, Nestroy Kizito or linkman David Obua to get those rare goals.
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Cranes players celebrate of the three goals.
You might call it a paradigm shift. In football terms it might actually be termed as a change in positions of strength.
We now have strikers like Farouk Miya who are worth at least a goal per match. Team him up with players like Geoffrey Massa and you are assured of goals.
Miya in many ways reminds me of players like Issa Sekatawa, Andrew Mukasa and Magid Musisi. These were strikers who would never let you down.
The Vipers player has consistently scored in virtually all the national team matches he has featured in over the past year.
My prayer is that Massa, who in most cases is always a lone striker, gets a consistent partner in either Brian Umony or Ceaser Okhuti.
This partnership backed by Miya just behind it could be the striking trio that could deliver us to our dreams.
But is it really a case of our attack being our point of strength?
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Cranes fans supporting the team
A closer look at the other departments reveals that it could also be a case of a balance in the respective departments.
There are all signs that Cranes defence is still solid. That is at least going by the statistics.
A look at the men keeping sentry shows that we could have one of the continent’s best goalkeepers in Dennis Onyango.
His central defence of Isaac Isinde and Mourshid Juuko is equally as firm as a rock. This pair on Sunday displayed calmness and control.
In midfield Khalid Aucho’s work rate is priceless. He is the reason Tony Mawejje has proved a thorn to defence lines with continual runs upfront.
But even with all this solidity, your efforts can still come to naught without a striking like that can deliver.
If we are going to make it back to the big stage, we need a potent attack.
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Cranes fans do the Mexican wave
We consistently used to qualify for the final tournament of the Nations Cup in the seventies because we had effective attacking players.
You had names like Polly Ouma, Swalley Wasswa, Phillip Omondi, Denis Obua and Stanley “Tank” Mubiru.
So, when I see a teenager like Miya consistently scoring goals, I get this feeling that we can get back to the big stage.
My only prayer is that the administrative wing of our football keeps the team focused.
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