How Micho is getting his groove back

Is it just me who thinks Moses Magogo’s Project Cameroon 2019 is a mirage? It sounds more like an aforethought alibi for possible short-term failure. It could also be a political ploy to throw off those angling for his office. We don’t have sports psychologists to certify what the Fufa president is thinking, but the unexpected bonus of postponing expectations is thus far proving a clever way to take pressure off players.

As a result, the Cranes have been playing with a freedom unbeknownst to them since football’s hierarchy decided that any success we register before 2019 is a bonus. Take the African Nations Championship (Chan) game away to Tanzania. Against the background of the chaos bedeviling local football, you would have thought we are incapable of pulling off a result in the Taifa Stars’ own backyard. Instead, our team of locally based players never gave their hosts a sniff, clobbering them 3-0. The gloomy faces in the pavilion seating Tanzania’s football glitterati told it all. Within hours the team’s coach Mart Noorj had been given his marching orders. It was the proverbial case of biting the hands that feeds one, considering these are players chosen from a league sponsored by Tanzanian company Azam.

Serbian coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojević, a resilient figure with as many admirers as detractors, deserves a pat on the back for presiding over our mini-revival.
For victory last weekend was the fourth consecutive time he has engineered a result, following double wins over Rwanda and the triumph over Botswana. If you ask me, it is the perfect way to shut up the Doubting Thomases who questioned the wisdom of offering him a new contract.
Like a man on a mission, Micho has been getting his major calls right. His team selection was airtight, with the choice of 19-year-old lanky custodian James Alitho over the more experienced Brian Bwete proving inspired, and consistent with his emphasis on youth.

The Vipers keeper must however improve on his physique to better his command of his penalty box as the home team’s aerial prowess gave him headaches aplenty.
Emphasis on youth gave the Cranes ammunition to play a full pitch pressing game which denied Tanzania time to settle. The evolution of world football dictates that forwards must play their part when teams are chasing the ball. Veteran forward Robert Ssentongo wasn’t out of place, and worked well in tandem with man of the match Erisa Ssekisambu and John Semazzi in hurrying the bewildered Taifa Stars out of their stride.

Execution of the quick counter is another area in which the Cranes excelled. Ever the immaculate passer of a football, new KCC recruit Muzamir Mutyaba kept opening up the Taifa Stars defence. On at least three occasions I counted five Cranes players in the opposing penalty box during a counter. That’s the way to go – hunt in packs and hurt in packs. At a tactical level, the Cranes performance was spotless.
While distributing the plaudits, it would be a travesty to overlook the leadership role Hassan Wasswa provided on what was in essence an under-23 side. He marshaled a back five including teenagers Alitho and Shafiq Bakaki to perfection, with the Express centre-back delivering yet another master class. Bakaki is such a natural, he has already helped the team keep clean sheets against Nigeria, Rwanda and Tanzania. If he continues at his current level of development it is easy to envisage him dislodging Isaac Isinde from the starting line up. Savio Kabugo will definitely have a formidable rival when he returns from his long lay-off.

The tie is not done and dusted. I was at Nakivubo Stadium in the early 80s when Zamayon Mogella scored two sublime goals as the Taifa Stars overturned a 0-1 deficit from the first leg to win 3-1 to eliminate Uganda in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. However, if Micho continues in the same vein, even Sudan won’t be able to stop Cranes from qualifying for their third successive Chan finals.

MICHO AT A GLANCE
Date of birth 1 September 1969 (age 45)
Place of birth Prokuplje, Serbia, Yugoslavia
Teams managed
1994–2000: FK Palić
2000–2001: FK Spartak Subotica
2001: Yugoslavia U20
2001: FK Hajduk Kula
2001–2004: Villa SC
2004–2006: Saint-George SA
2006: Orlando Pirates
2007: Young Africans FC
2007–2010: Saint-George SA
2010–2011: Al-Hilal Omdurman
2011–2013: Rwanda
2013–todate: Uganda
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