What next if Miya is ruled out of CHAN?

CHAN tournament

Saturday
All Live on SS9/GOTV
Uganda v Zambia 7pm

Farouk Miya is out of the 2016 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN).

The Vipers star suffered a severe shoulder injury in the 2-2 draw against Mali yesterday that the Cranes medical team couldn't fi x.

This means, the Cranes will have to negotiate their subsequent hurdles against Zambia on Saturday and Zimbabwe on January 27, without their influential captain.

The 20-year-old sounded devastated on Wednesday in a message he posted on his Facebook account.

Miya stated: "Great game yesterday (Tuesday). Great to seal off a point in our first encounter but luck wasn't on my side for I am out of the tournament ???? due to a shoulder dislocation hope to come back strong let's pray for the boys to bring this home ?#?cranestufirawo UGANDA my country???? God bless you all."

Although Miya ruled himself out of the tournament, the Cranes technical team was still optimistic that the ‘Almighty' would intervene and aid the youngster's recovery.

The best possible back-up option to have Miya available is the use of anti-inflammatory pain relieving treatment.

But that usually comes with after-effects like aggravation —a possible scenario that the team in charge might have to contemplate.

But then again, you would understand why Cranes coaching staff would be desperate.

Miya has been everything exciting about the Cranes in recent games.

His match-winning performances are not only the reason why Cranes qualified for the championship, the group stages of the 2018 World Cup and won the CECAFA Challenge Cup.

The midfielder was also the principal reason Cranes settled for a point in their 2-2 draw against Mali on Tuesday.

Miya created Cranes' first goal after floating a perfectly weighted free-kick before stretching Uganda's lead from the penalty spot.

Unfortunately, that was as far as Cranes could go, as Miya had to be replaced with Mutyaba Muzamir.

Without Miya, the Cranes looked clueless, lacked rhythm going forward and were indecisive in the final third of the pitch against a Malian side that wasn't at its best either.

What's the plan B?

The number one question is how will Cranes re-adjust in the event that the youngster fails to completely recover? Where will the goals come from? Should veteran strikers Caesar Okhuti and Robert Ssentongo —two players who were off-colour against Mali —continue to start? Or should the likes of Geoffrey Sserunkuuma and Frank Kalanda start this time?

Striker Erisa Sekisambu has already justified his place in the team. He scored Cranes' only goal in the 1-1 friendly draw against Gabon, and helped Cranes to an early lead against Mali.

So the battle on who starts will be between Okhuti, Ssentongo, Kalanda and Sserunkuuma.

Ssentongo is the Azam Uganda Premier League current top scorer with nine goals with Okhuti following closely on eight goals while Sserunkuuma has the experience needed to prise-open any back-four.

Midfielder Mutyaba has grown in leaps and bounds over the last one year and would be the preferred candidate to assume Miya's attacking duties.

The KCCA star has wonderful passing and dribbling skills. He has good vision and movement —two qualities that have occasionally helped find that odd goal.

Mutyaba can attack, defend create and score goals.

If he is considered for the game against Zambia on Saturday, his impact will be strongly felt if Ivan Ntege starts in holding midfield as the two complement each other so well.