Coach Mubiru firm despite Cranes drawing more blanks
Stalemate. KCCA and Cranes defender Awany (R) vies for the ball with Proline’s Ivan Bogere during a build-up friendly match at the StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo yesterday. PHOTO BY JOHN BATANUDDE
A single goal scored in three games against URA, a regional select side and a newly promoted Uganda Premier League side is not the kind of run that inspires confidence ahead of an international fixture.
But despite those indifferent results, Cranes coach Abdallah Mubiru believes his team are on the right path ahead of Saturday’s Chan 2020 Qualifier first leg against Somalia.
“We are on the right path and in the right direction. Like the game today we managed the ball well and created some god chances only that we failed to convert them. That is one area of concern which we are going to work on and try to polish,” Mubiru noted yesterday after his Cranes side played out a goalless draw against Proline at Lugogo.
It was the second time in five days his Cranes side failed to find the back of the net also losing 1-0 to Kitara Region in Hoima.
Adding impetus
They dominated proceedings this time round following the additions of KCCA’S Cecafa winners Allan Okello, Mustafa Kizza and goalkeeper Charles Lukwago.
There was surprisingly however little invention despite a starting team comprising of Okello, Tom Masiko, Allan Kayiwa, Allan Kyambadde and Patrick Kaddu. “The other area is that we are not very creative we lack some improvisation from the players who had to do it. It’s the other area we are going to emphasize in the few remaining days. Hopefully by the time we play against Somalia we’ll have rectified those mistakes,” Mubiru further added.
The team improved though in the second half with Muzamir Mutyaba slotting alongside Taddeo Lwanga in place of Masiko while Shafik Kagimu replaced Kayiwa before wholesome changes were made.
Mubiru was expected to trim the squad to 18 players late yesterday before the team set off early this morning for Djibouti where the game will be played.
CHAN 2020 QUALIFIER
27th July 2019 (1st leg)
Somalia vs. Uganda in Djibouti,
Al Haji Hussein Guled Stadium, 6pm
3rd August 2019 (2nd leg)
Uganda vs. Somalia,
StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo 4pm.
