Russia 2018 not a pipe dream for Uganda Cranes

Notions pointing to Uganda Cranes’ possible qualification for next year’s World Cup aren’t overly fanciful anymore. Emmanuel Okwi’s 51st minute strike banished the five decade fear Cranes had harboured for Africa’s record seven time champions. The win propelled Uganda onto seven points, and pole position ahead of Tuesday’s return leg in Cairo.
No foreigners struck as much fear into our hearts as much as Egyptians. To put it lightly, Uganda’s head to head record with the North Africans was abysmal. A 5-1 victory over the continental heavyweights way back in 1965 was the sole positive result Cranes had registered over the Pharaohs.
The win was particularly sweet for Cranes caretaker coach Moses Basena, whose nascent tenure was confronted by an immediate inquisition following Cranes timid loss to Rwanda’s Amavubi Stars in an African Nations Cup qualifier in Kigali. Basena, a long time assistant to Milutin Sredojevich, who sought greener pastures at Orlando Pirates in South Africa, ticked most, if not all the boxes.
Amidst pressure to convince local football governing body Fufa to hand him a permanent contract, Basena could have floundered trying to escape from Micho’s shadow. Instead, he accepted to share responsibility of coaching with Ibrahim Ssekagya, who flew in from New York, where he is part of Red Bulls’ coaching staff, as well as Express tactician Matia Lule.
Ultimately, if Basena is to etch his mark in Uganda’s coaching folklore, he must accept that true revolutions, football or otherwise, are organic. He thus deserves a huge pat on the shoulder for sticking to ninety percent of the team that won away to Cape Verde in an Cameroon 2019 qualifier.
His biggest call was to re-admit Buildcon FC defensive stalwart Isaac Isinde. It was a brave call to make, given Isinde’s ignominious departure from the team. Also back in the fold was William Kizito Luwaga, whose experience at keeping the ball, was immense as Cranes tried to take steam out of the Pharaohs. His people management was thus simply spot on.
Man of the match Emmanuel Okwi has well and truly completed his rehabilitation, having managed as many shots on goal than the entire Pharaohs side. It’s never too late to learn. Even this late in his career, the Simba FC front man has developed an admirable work rate. He really did work that right side of attack to perfection.
Our game is making incremental growth. One could argue Cranes would never have beaten Egypt if they hadn’t run them so close at Gabon 2017. You could also contend Kampala Capital City Authority FC’s elimination of Egyptian side El Masry helped banish our pathological fear for the Pharaohs.
In the larger scheme of things, we are only halfway through the road to Russia 2018. Tuesday’s game in Egypt will by far be Cranes’ sternest test. With four time African champions Ghana to come over at our Namboole fortress, and a trip to Congo Brazzaville to come, who can with authority say qualification for next year’s World Cup is a pipe dream? If there ever was a time to dream, that time is now.