CHAN qualifiers: Cranes set to get the job done
Oct 19, 2019
Cranes were wasteful in the first leg last month in Bujumbura but coach Abdullah Mubiru says that those lapses have been rectified in time for today's match against Burundi.
2020 AFRICAN NATIONs CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFICATION
TODAY: Second round return leg
Uganda v Burundi (at Lugogo, 4pm)
(Uganda leads 3-0)
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Despite having the 3-0 first leg lead, coach Abdullah Mubiru says his team will not play a defence-minded game when they take on Burundi in the return leg of the CHAN 2020 Qualifiers today.
Cranes were wasteful in the first leg last month in Bujumbura but Mubiru says that those lapses have been rectified in time for today's match at Lugogo.
"We are going to possess the ball, use it smartly and try to be effi cient in the final third. We are not going to defend. We missed a lot of scoring chances in the first leg and this is something we have worked upon," Mubiru said Friday.
Bayo confident
Strikers Fahad Bayo and Mike Mutyaba are the men expected to spearhead the Cranes attack.
Bayo currently leads the score chart for KCCA with six goals in the Uganda Premier League ahead of Mutyaba, who last week scored a hattrick against Onduparaka.
Just like coach Mubiru, Bayo is confident that they have what it takes to sink Burundi.
"We are set and we don't have any challenges as players. Our coaches have emphasized that we are in the right shape to compete. We promise to put up a good show as we are highly motivated," said the striker.
Uganda have carried a huge advantage from the first leg into today's game
The Burundi national team that was expected in the country Friday aboard Uganda Airlines will need a miracle if they are to overturn the result.
A win, draw or a loss of less than three goals will see Uganda qualify for the continental tournament that is designed to nurture players in domestic league.
Uganda has featured in the last four editions of the championship but has not yet gone past the group stages.
Fifteen countries will battle it out alongside hosts Cameroon in the final tournament next year.
The tournament that is held every two years, alternating with the Africa Cup of Nations finals, was introduced to rekindle competition among nations who are regularly weakened by a mass exodus of top players to foreign clubs.
Hosts Morocco defeated Nigeria 4-0 in the final to win the last edition (2018) of the tournament.
Cranes' probable line up
Charles Lukwago, Paul Willa, Mustafa Kizza, John Revita, Halid Lwaliwa, Nicholas Kasozi, Ibrahim Orit, Said kyeyume, Fahad Bayo, Mike Mutyaba, Allan Okello.