90 minutes from fifth Chan finals

Abdallah Mubiru says he is not even looking at the ultimate outcome over the two legs. His immediate focus is firmly on the 90 minutes at the StarTimes Stadium at Lugogo today.

With a 3-0 first leg lead, he does not want his players to get carried away. They get it, but will not relent in their drive. Forwards Viane Sekajugo, Fahad Bayo and Suleiman Mike Muyuaba want to kill off the contest as fast as possible.

Both Sekajugo and Bayo warned up for this one with braces for Wakiso Giants and Vipers against Proline and Express respectively, while Mutyaba destroyed Onduparaka with a hat-trick.

“I see this (against Burundi) as a golden opportunity for me to show more (of) what I can do,” said Sekajugo, “I want to continue performing more because I’m not where I think I should be yet.”
Bayo, already has six goals and four assists to his name after seven league matches, was more succinct. “If given chance to start against Burundi, or even if I come on for only 10 minutes, I have to score. That is the target.”

Mutyaba will give nothing short of maximum effort.
“As a player,” he said, “I always give 100 per cent. The good thing is we have a good coach (Mubiru) and during the sessions he gives us exactly what we need to do to remain focused for the game on Saturday.”

Burundi coach Alain Olivier Niyungeko admitted it would be a tall order after that big defeat in Bujumbura in the first leg of Chan 2020 qualifiers, but his Ugandan counterpart believes they will still come at the Cranes.

“Burundi are a good side despite the fact that we scored three goals,” said Mubiru, “They were playing well, very competitive and they have nothing to lose so they will come and try to attack us.”

Charles Lukwago should maintain his place in goal, with John Revita and Halid Lwaliwa in central defence.
Dead ball specialist Mustafa Kizza and Paul Willa are the trusted full backs while Nicholas Kasozi has earned Mubiru’s trust in the holding and distribution role. Shafiq Kagimu should provide the fulcrum going forward with Allan Okello, Sekajugo, Bayo and Mutyaba having a go at the Burundians.

Burundi, who have never beaten Uganda in Kampala, can only outrightly stop the Cranes qualification if they win by 4-0. Should they complete the job, the 2020 edition in Cameroon will be Uganda’s fifth straight Chan finals.

Charles Lukwago, Paul Willa, Mustafa Kizza, Halid Lwaliwa, John Revita, Nicholas Kasozi, Shafiq Kagimu, Viane Sekajjugo, Fahad Bayo, Allan Okello, Mike Mutyaba

Total Chan 2020 Qualifier
Today 4pm
Uganda Cranes Vs Burundi
StarTimes Stadium
*Uganda hold a 3-0 first leg advantage*

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