Cranes target perfect start against travel-sick Malawi

KAMPALA- Cranes coach Jonathan McKinstry has struck the right chords in the lead up to his team’s opening 2021 Afcon home qualifier against Malawi at Mandela National Stadium this evening.

The Northern Irishman stressed the importance of treating every game as it comes as well as the need to play on the front foot.

“We’ve got to be on the front foot. We’re at home, we’ve got a very good home record in recent years and need to continue that,” he said upon the team’s return from Ouagadougou where they played out a goalless draw with Burkina Faso.

The country will consequently be eagerly awaiting how he sets his team up on his home debut since being appointed Cranes coach at the end of September.

More importantly though is the need for maximum points after picking a point in the goalless draw away to Burkina Faso in midweek. Victory would also continue a proud home record of only one defeat in the previous 19 Afcon qualifier home games.

The previous two qualification campaigns have also seen the Cranes win four of their six home games with captain Denis Onyango not conceding a goal. The statistics are two of many in Cranes’ favour including a run of two wins, three draws and a single loss in the past six meetings since 2010 between the two teams.

The Malawi Flames have also not won an away Afcon qualifier in 19 games since 2006. McKinstry however expects the Flames to be in confident mood ahead of the tie. “They had a good result against South Sudan and are going to be positive, buoyant and they are going to come here knowing that they don’t really have anything to lose. If they can pick any points from here they’ll be delighted. So we’ve got to be ready for that,” added McKinstry.

He will make at least one enforced change from the team that started the first leg with Abdu Lumala ruled out because of a failure to produce adequate travel documents.

That could see either Kizito Luwagga or Allan Kyambadde taking up his position alongside Emmanuel Okwi and Patrick Kaddu in attack. Malawi come into the game as table leaders after Orlando Pirates forward Gabadinho Mhango’s goal gave them a 1-0 over South Sudan.

PROBABLE STARTING XI
GK Denis Onyango 18
RB Bevis Mugabi 5
CB Timothy Awany 3
CB Murushid Jjuuko 4
LB Joseph Ochaya 2
MF Khalid Aucho 8
MF Mike Azira 23
FW Faruku Miya 17
FW Emmanuel Okwi 7
FW Emmanuel Okwi 7
FW Patrick Kaddu 9
MF Kizito Luwagga 10