Chan: Poor start points to same old story

KAMPALA. Uganda coach Sebastien Desabre’s initial assessment of his side’s 3-1 thrashing at the hands of Zambia seems to point to an admission that the Cranes indeed still have a long way to go before they can dictate matters at major tournaments.
Lazarous Kambole, Augustine Mulenga and Fackson Kapumbu scored for the Chipolopolo while Derrick Nsibambi got the Cranes consolation in a spectacular volley; but in the end it was the same laboured start.
Now Uganda, bottom of Group B with a minus-2 goal difference and no points, must get a result against Namibia, who beat Ivory Coast 1-0, on Thursday to go into their final match with the Ivorians with something still to play for.

“We have two more games left where I will try to improve the physical aspect of our play,” said Sebastien, alluding to how Cranes players were bullied off the ball by the Zambians mainly in the second half.
The former Wydad, Ismaily and Asec Mimosas boss, who was named Cranes coach late December last year, also admitted he was still learning his players.

“It is always difficult to start (your new job) with a competition of this magnitude,” he said.
This is the second time on four occasions Uganda are starting their Chan campaign with defeat, the first being in their debut event in Sudan 2011 – then falling 2-0 to Algeria.
They opened the 2016 edition in Rwanda with a 2-2 draw with Mali, leaving South Africa 2014 the only time Uganda started the campaign brightly.

Then, a Yunus Sentamu brace earned Uganda a 2-1 victory over Burkina Faso, which remains the Cranes only win at the competition after 10 matches over four editions.
In the quest for digging themselves out of this latest hole, Sebastien will welcome back Ismail Watenga, whose absence was exposed by goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan’s howler for Zambia’s third goal. Watenga missed the opener through suspension.

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