Kobs attackers hold key
Cranes and Kobs coach Micho takes promising midfielder Kizito through the paces during a training session at Namboole earlier this week. Courtesy photo
What you need to know:
The Mozambicans, meanwhile, travelled without a number of key foreign based players with Clésio Baúque, who turns out for Benfica’s B side in Portugal, the only certainty by press time.
TODAY AT NAKIVUBO
All Africa Games Qualifier
2nd Leg: Uganda vs. Mozambique
1st leg result: 0-0
PROBABLE LINEUP
Ismail Watenga (goalkeeper), Sadat Kyambadde, Joseph Nsubuga, Fred Nkata, Ibrahim Kiyemba, Keziron Kizito, Tom Matsiko, Farouk Miya (captain), Ghaddafi Kiwanuka, Yunus Ssentamu
The need for a developed youth football structure is often stated but repeatedly undermined in Uganda.
Today could, however, provide yet another opportunity on how the country could benefit from such a system.
With Kobs needing victory against Mozambique to qualify for the final qualification round against Ghana, Uganda’s hopes are likely to rest on a trio that has gone through a tournament that has helped churn out thousands of players. The trident of CS Sfaxien striker Yunus Ssentamu, Farouk Miya and Keziron Kizito rose to prominence in 2013 after helping St Mary’s Kitende win the Copa Coca Cola Schools tournament before proceeding to local club Vipers.
Ssentamu, who moved to Tunisia from Congolese side Don Bosco at the start of the year, will be tasked to lead the attack with Miya, with Kizito expected to provide the creative spark.
Dynamic duo
Miya and Kizito have similarly impressed at domestic club level in the last two seasons. Ssentamu, who shone at the Chan in South Africa last year, has also since broken into the senior Cranes team, playing part last year’s 2015 Afcon qualifiers.
“We are hoping he can use experience he has had on biggest stage of African football to guide his teammates,” Micho said of Ssentamu earlier this week.
Two members including Fred Nkata and William Wadri from the under-20 side that beat the Mozambicans 5-1 on aggregate in the 2013 Africa under-20 championship qualifiers remain on the team with the former expected to start at left back.
The Mozambicans, meanwhile, travelled without a number of key foreign based players with Clésio Baúque, who turns out for Benfica’s B side in Portugal, the only certainty by press time.
