Injury-hit Kobs aim to progress
Uganda Kobs coach Micho Sredojevic instructs his troops during a training session at the African Bible University, Lubowa on Thursday evening. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA
What you need to know:
Soccer. Uganda need a draw, or lose with a difference of two goals to book a date with Egypt in the last qualifying round next month.
KAMPALA. Kobs coach Micho Sredojevic and his youthful brigade have a mountain to climb if Uganda is to protect her 2-1 lead against the Junior Wasps of Rwanda in the under-23 African Championship/Olympic Qualifiers today.
The side has been hit with multiple injuries. First choice right back Joseph Nsubuga twisted his ankle on Wednesday and the Bright Stars’ defender is likely to be replaced by Vipers’ utility player Deus Bukenya.
Custodian Salim Jamal also aggravated a groin injury in his right leg on Thursday. If he does not pass a late fitness test, then either James Alitho or Mathias Kigonya will cherish the opportunity to keep Rwanda at bay.
Despite the challenges, Micho has remained optimistic that the job at hand will be done.
“In the first leg, they (Rwanda) threatened us with their long ball tactics from the defenders and crosses from the wings. But we have medicine (solutions) for anything they will put in front of us,” Micho told Saturday Monitor.
The Serb is likely to lead with John Ssemazi and Mohamed Fahad Hassan upfront with skipper Farouk Miya and Erisa Ssekisambu out wide as a way of stopping Rwanda’s overlapping fullbacks.
Lebanon-based central defender Richard Kasagga is likely to get a starting role as he has been making his presence felt at training since Tuesday. His relationship with Shafiq Bakaki at the heart of defence will be key. “We have 90 minutes to play, but we need to respect our opponents, ourselves and supporters for whom we play for,” added Micho.
“For everything good we have done up to now, our supporters have been behind us and they are hungry for success. We want to make them happy with victory.”
Rwanda will be without their first choice goalkeeper Olivier Kwizera, whose poor game-reading gifted Uganda two goal-scoring chances which Miya and substitute Muzamir Mutyaba buried.
Vincent Mashami and former Cranes International Ibrahim Mugisha will be in charge of the side in the absence of head coach Jonny McKinstry. “We are here on a mission and trust me we shall present a big challenge,” Mugisha said upon arrival on Thursday.
PROBABLE STARTING XI
Salim Jamal, Deus Bukenya, Brian Ochwo, Shafik Bakaki, Richard Kassaga, Derrick Tekkwo, Farouk Miya (captain), Keziron Kizito, John Ssemazi, Mohamed Fahad Hassan, Erisa Ssekisambu.
