Uganda ready for tough Egyptian test

Uganda's squad (back L-R) midfielder Hassan Wasswa, midfielder Geoffrey Kizito, midfielder Mike Azira, defender Joseph Ochaya, goalkeeper Denis Onyango, forward Geoffrey Massa, (L-R) defender Denis Iguma, midfielder Tony Mawejje, forward Farouk Miya, defender Isaac Isinde and forward Luwagga William Kizito pose for a group picture ahead of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group D football match between Ghana and Uganda in Port-Gentil on January 17, 2017. Cranes will need to pull themselves up against Egypt after falling to Ghana on Tuesday. Ghana face Mali in the other Group D game.AFP PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • Cranes have washed the Ghana loss out of their system and won’t need any motivation to take on a country Uganda has not beaten in 52 years.
  • Micho is expected to return midfielder Khalid Aucho and defender Murushid Juuko, who were both suspended for the Ghana match, to the starting line-up but centre back Isaac Isinde is set to start on the bench after his mistake led to Ghana’s goal.Key for Uganda’s chances will be how Cranes contain the threat of AS Roma midfielder Mohammed Salah.

Port Gentil. Uganda line up against the Pharoahs of Egypt at 10pm knowing that anything but defeat will end Cranes’ interest in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
Defeat to Ghana on Tuesday left Uganda in a precarious position and Micho Sredojevic’s charges must play the greatest game of their lives to down the technically gifted north Africans.
“We must give 200 per cent against Egypt,” said Micho, whose side won the hearts of neutrals but not points in the 1-0 defeat to Ghana.
Cranes have washed the Ghana loss out of their system and won’t need any motivation to take on a country Uganda has not beaten in 52 years.

“We have belief in ourselves and despite the unfortunate loss to Ghana, we have moved on and want to correct our campaign against Egypt,” skipper Geoffrey Massa noted.
A victory or draw will keep alive Uganda’s chances with the final group game to come against Mali in Oyem on Wednesday night.
Micho is expected to return midfielder Khalid Aucho and defender Murushid Juuko, who were both suspended for the Ghana match, to the starting line-up but centre back Isaac Isinde is set to start on the bench after his mistake led to Ghana’s goal.
Key for Uganda’s chances will be how Cranes contain the threat of AS Roma midfielder Mohammed Salah.
Although he had a subdued game against Mali, Mali is a tricky customer whose close ball control and acceleration can be a handful.

The Egyptians, who like Uganda are looking for their first goal at the tournament, are record African champions who will come into the match as bookmakers favourites for pick maximum points.
But this is tournament football and Cranes will be keen to ride on their billing as underdogs to stun the seven-time winners of the Africa Cup at Stade Port Gentil.
In the other Group D game, Ghana play Mali.

Group D
Ghana vs Mali 7pm
Uganda vs Egypt 10pm

Adjustments

Micho is expected to return midfielder Khalid Aucho and defender Murushid Juuko, who were both suspended for the Ghana match, to the starting line-up but centre back Isaac Isinde is set to start on the bench after his mistake led to Ghana’s goal.Key for Uganda’s chances will be how Cranes contain the threat of AS Roma midfielder Mohammed Salah.