Mali will be a tough test but Cranes are ready - Micho

National coach Micho Srodejovic has said that Uganda's opening Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) encounter against Mali will be a tough game but the Uganda Cranes are willing to pay the price by giving it their all.

"Looking at the achievement of Mali, you are awed by their performance and pedigree but football is played in 90 minutes and in these minutes, the Uganda team is looking forward  to prove that we are improving and ready for the challenge," said Srodejovic.

Looking at Mali's history, it is a team that reached the final of the U17 World Cup, semi-final of the U20 World Cup and they are among the top five exporters of players to Europe in Africa.

They have also advanced to the knockout stages of the last two CHAN events.

"We have respect for them but we do not fear them. As Uganda, we have a team that is mentally well, physically fit and technically ready for the challenge. It is a team that is fully focused to get results from the game as the players know that at individual level, it will be giving them the breakthrough they require to move to the paid ranks," said Micho of the game.

Micho addresses the press flanked by Cranes captain Farouk Miya. Photo by Norman Katende

Micho added that the difference between the top countries and lower countries in Africa is narrowing because of the teams improving day by day and Mali and Uganda will prove this in the clash.

"The players are ready to give it a little more, to stretch them further and ensure that they get some results. The difference between us and the other world is that we are trying to put out attention to the bigger details and for us, we are focusing on the smaller details. As much as some teams have come up with competitive players, we have come with 70% of our players under 23 as we plan for Cameroon 2018." he said.

"It is these players that are motivated  to see that they play well to not only break through the ranks but will also be buoyed by their never say die attitude until they get better results." he added.

Uganda will be buoyed by the support that they will be receiving from the residents of Rubavu, who have so far treated them as good neighbours as well as Micho who spent a year and half as head coach of Rwanda.

Uganda has never gone beyond the group stages of the tournament.