Deal gives Mwesigwa renewed Cranes hope

Soccer. The one-year deal will see the defender play at the Kazakhstan outfit for third consecutive year

Uganda Cranes captain Andy Mwesigwa believes assured job security for at least one more year at his Kazakhstan side FC Ordabasy will encourage him to concetrate further on club and national duties.
Mwesigwa put pen to paper at the weekend and the deal will see him play at Ordabasy for the third straight year.

The defender joined the Shymkent outfit in October 2011 after being released by his then Chinese club Chongqing Lifan.
“My focus now (after contract renewal) is to make (get) good results with national team and to give all what we can to qualify for the World Cup,” said Mwesigwa.

“First is game against Liberia, which we need to win. I believe that we have good chances (to win it).”

Uganda have never won an away World Cup qualifier proper while their only victory in West Africa came just on March 26, 2011, a 1-0 win over Guinea Bissau in the 2012 Nations Cup qualifiers.

Improbable task
For a side that last made the Nations Cup in 1978 and that have never made the grade on the global scene, qualifying for Brazil 2014 World Cup could prove an improbable task.

Uganda are in the same group as 2002 World Cup finalists Senegal, 2006 finalists Angola, plus Liberia, who they face on March 22 in Monrovia.
Bobby Williamson’s side are second in standings on two points, two behind leaders Senegal. The group winners will progress to the next stage of qualification.

Meanwhile, Mwesigwa, who has played for SC Villa, IBV Iceland and Chongqing Lifan still harbours hopes of playing in Serbia, his agent’s native home.

amwanguhya@ug.nationmedia.com