Lorenzen to make up mind after Zim
Werder Bremen attacker Lorenzen (left) impressed Uganda Cranes coach Micho in practice yesterday morning at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole. Photo by Eddie Chicco
KAMPALA.
Melvyn Lorenzen put in his first shift with the Cranes as the English-born and German-raised Ugandan got a feel of his father’s country at Namboole yesterday.
And, going by coach Micho Sredojevic’s disclosure to Daily Monitor, the 21-year-old Werder Bremen striker will have at least 45 minutes of the friendly away in Zimbabwe next Tuesday to further gauge how he can fit into the team ahead of June 4 Afcon qualifier in Botswana’s second largest city of Francistown.
But what is not decided yet is Lorenzen’s long term association with Cranes, with no one sure whether Drake Mugisa’s son will face Botswana.
“We will see,” he said after training, “I will discuss with my agent and make up my mind about it. I want to help the team but we will see.”
Lorenzen can play against Zimbabwe next week and still remain eligible to represent Germany for as long as he does not feature for the Cranes in an official Fifa match.
The Cranes played a full, half and quarter pitch against The Saints, with Micho first deploying Lorenzen upfront alongside skipper Geoffrey Massa before drifting him to the left. Alongside Massa, he was involved in a good one-touch move with Farouk Miya before evading two Saints defenders and scoring, and from the left, he severally outsmarted Saints defenders one-on-one, cutting inside to hit the post off a curler on one occasion.
“It is not easy to come from a different culture and gel straight in an established side but from me and the players, we have welcomed him well,” said Micho.
“I have positive impression of him. What I have seen from him today is something I knew and you can see he is coming from the World Champions. But we have to give him time and see if he keeps it going.”
Lorenzen had few complaints after his first training. “First day was tough after a long journey of 10 hours and the pitch is not like those in Germany, but I’m a tough boy.
“I like the boys. They are very nice to me. It’s a big wish for my family (playing for Uganda) and an interesting opportunity.”
Uganda Cranes games
Tuesday, May 31, friendly
Zimbabwe vs Uganda
June 4, 2017 Afcon
Botswana vs Uganda
