AFCON: Uganda reminded it isn’t all about Egypt
Cranes assistant captain Hassan Wasswa and his colleagues have been asked to focus beyond the Egypt game. PHOTO BY JOHN BATANUDDE
It is now a matter of hours before the Total Africa Cup of Nations 2019 finals officially gets underway in Egypt, with the hosts opening against Zimbabwe at Cairo International Stadium in tomorrow’s only match.
Uganda do not play until Saturday when the Cranes face DRC at the same venue. Both teams will watch tomorrow’s opening match with intent, with Cranes coach Sebastien Desabre and his Congolese counterpart Florent Ibenge figuring how to stop Egypt and Zimbabwe in their next encounters.
Quality group
Group A is quite some quality, with seven-time champions, last edition’s losing finalists and hosts - Egypt, favourites to go all the way.
The pool also has two-time winners and last edition’s quarterfinalists DRC, with 1978 losing finalists Uganda and Zimbabwe adding to the unpredictability excitement.
Little wonder Desabre, who coached at Egypt’s Ismaily before joining Uganda in December 2017, is not fully buying into the excitement and expectation that follows the Egyptian national team; the Frenchman warning his side against joining the joyride.
“Egypt is a big team,” admitted Desabre after Uganda arrived in Cairo on Monday, “But there are other big teams in the tournament and we cannot ignore them. Our focus will (also) be on Zimbabwe and Congo because all the games are tough.”
Maiden win
Besides, the Cranes and Pharaohs do not meet until the group’s final match on June 30. Uganda open against DRC on Saturday before facing surprise package Zimbabwe next Wednesday.
It is, therefore, paramount that Uganda pick something from the first two matches if they are to arrive in the game against Egypt with a chance to progress to the last 16.
“Winning two matches in the group stage means qualifying for the next round,” added Desabre, “Last time (Gabon 2017), we could not get through, so this time, we are aiming to reach the next round, and we’ll see what happens next.”
The only time Uganda ever won their opening Afcon game was at the Ghana 1978 edition, a 3-1 victory over DRC neighbours Congo Brazzaville with Phillip Omondi (first minute), Edward Semwanga and Godfrey Kisitu on target. Good omen? It’s live at 5.30pm on Saturday.
