Tactics aren’t so key like the psychology of Cranes players

Uganda’s near-misses in the 34 years (hope the wait ends on Saturday evening) of Africa Cup of qualification agony are a variety of episodes of failure.

We can go on and on about the tactics to be employed in the decisive second leg match against the reigning African champions Zambia this weekend, but that is a matter for Cranes coach Bobby Williamson. Let him do the job he is paid to do.

No doubt tactics are important in the game of football. But seeing Uganda’s last couple of hurting misses, perhaps Cranes weren’t let down by tactics. There is ample evidence to suggest the psychology of Cranes players should be emphasised ahead of Saturday.

Nine years ago when Uganda played Rwanda home and away in a double header that cost Cranes a place at Tunisia 2004, the team was let down by players whose mindset was not tuned.

After comfortably dominating Amavubi over both legs, Cranes found solace in blaming juju (withcraft). It was a national shame. Livinstone Mbabazi hit the bar in Kigali, Abubaker Tabula and Hakim Magumba hit the post in Kampala and Cranes generally had Rwanda on the ropes.

But they (Rwanda) got four valuable points that gave them enough momentum to qualify for their first Africa Cup of Nations. Two Cranes players who featured in both games but have since retired confessed that the volcano of anxiety from the terraces descended onto them once Uganda failed to land that early goal.
The story is not much different from last year when Kenya was massacred in a 0-0 stalemate. The Harambee Stars pitched camp in the 18-yard box and became too content to operate from there. They parked an ocean liner and went to sleep. Yet still, Cranes carved out many decent opportunities but failed to find a way past the outstanding Kenya shot stopper Arnold Origi. Saturday afternoon will require unruffled nerves.

Cranes need players to cope with the momentous occasion. Thankfully there are experienced heads like skipper Andy Mwesigwa. It has been unambiguously reiterated that Uganda needs an early goal - very true and ideal. But if or when it gets to 60 minutes with the scoreline 0-0, the players, unlike fans, mustn’t panic.

mnamanya@ug.nationmedia.com