Where is Mutyaba, Mugerwa and Oloya?

Uganda's recent two build-up matches exposed the Cranes as seriously lacking in many critical areas.

In fact, if the 2019 Cameroon Nations Cup qualifiers were to resume today, we would be in serious trouble.

We first beat lowly Sao Tome and Principe 3-1 in a friendly where the score wasn't a reflection of our actual form.

The Atlantic island state, ranked 101 placed behind Uganda on the FIFA rankings, was more comfortable on the ball.

Not even the fatigue of the two day journey nor the fact that they literally emerged from their brief hotel rest to the match, could help Uganda Uganda's next friendly, a goalless draw with another lower ranked side Malawi, further exposed the Cranes.

We should thank God we still have Denis Onyango. He is undoubtedly still amongst Africa's best.

But that aside, coach Sebastien Desabre is struggling to put his act together. His efforts to transform the Cranes from a largely defensive to an attacking side are still a far cry.

Not that the Frenchman is not good. His undoing at the moment actually seems to do with the mentality of the players he has chosen.

Offence is supposed to start from defence but this is not helped by the general defensive mentality of the Ugandan players.

We no longer have defenders who can initiate attacks the way John "Ross" Latigo, Paul Hasule, Charles Masiko, Tom Lwanga or Jimmy Kirunda did.

What you instead have today are back and square passing defenders and midfielders.

Matters are also not helped by our struggle to fill the places of ageing players like Geoffrey Massa, Tony Mawejje and Geoffrey Sserunkmuma.
Isn't it also time we also had a paradigm shift on a much bigger scale?

This would call for a deliberate campaign by the soccer governing body to instil a national attacking culture. This would entail FUFA's technical department ensuring that certain attacking standards are adopted across board countrywide.

Then the national team selectors also seem to be shooting themselves in the foot.

Much as they are talking of a shift in an attack oriented style, there are players suited for this format who continue to be ignored.

Why aren't attacking midfielders like Muzamil Mutayaba, Yasser Mugerwa and Moses Oloya on the team?

Mutyaba is the reason KCCA is currently flying high. Mugerwa is also a hot cake in Ethiopia just like Oloya in Vietnam.

Injured Sadam Juma is another player Desabre should in future consider.

Seeing some of these midfielders in action evokes memories of legends like Moses Nsereko, Mathew Lucha and Francis Kulabigwo.

These were midfielders who would skillfully drive that ball forward, attract opponents before laying killer passes or even scoring.

In the striking line, I would love to see Phillip Omondi's brilliance coupled with Issa Sekatawa's or Magid Musisi ability to turn half chances into goals.

It's a tough call. But it is still achievable.