Cranes Dare to dream
Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan (L) host Andy Mwesigwa (R)’s Uganda Cranes. photo BY E. CHICCO
What you need to know:
Africa Cup of Nations Cup qualifiers. Uganda’s last two competitive visits to Ghana have been mixed; managing a 1-1 draw in the 2004 Nations Cup campaign but losing 2-0 in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers.
We are at it again; starting all over again. Uganda’s quest to end a painstaking 35-year absence from the Africa Cup of Nations starts in earnest again tonight when the Cranes contend with Ghana’s Black Stars at Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
This is the sides’ first qualification match in Group E, which also includes Togo and Guinea; with the top two qualifying automatically for the finals in Morocco January next year.
The third best-placed nation in the seven groups of four teams will also qualify; joining hosts Morocco and the other 14 automatically qualified sides.
The task for Uganda tonight is an unenviable one. The Cranes have never won on Ghanaian soil, the best decent result coming in the 2004 Afcon qualification – then ending 1-1.
Uganda’s last trip to Ghana returned a 2-0 defeat, then in the 2006 Fifa World Cup qualification. They will hope for better fortunes tonight.
The Ghanaians will, without a doubt, start as huge favourites and will be expected to pick all three points.
But sport has, over the years, taught us that nothing is beyond reach. It is that surprise element Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic and his side will be counting on when they come against the array of Ghanaian stars.
Africa Cup of Nations Cup FIXTURES
DR Congo vs. Cameroon SS4 2:45pm
Zambia vs. Mozambique SS3 3:30pm
Niger vs. Congo Brazzaville SS3 6:30pm
WEDNESDAY FIXTURES
South Africa vs. Nigeria SS3 9pm
Togo vs. Ghana SS3 7pm
