Kajoba admits pressure to keep clean sheet real

Kampala. There is a certain level of positive arrogance in the Cranes camp and amongst fans as Uganda head into their final 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania this Sunday.

This is a team that had successfully adopted a DNA of uncertainty in their qualification history since the rather successful 70s.

Over the years, when Uganda’s qualification campaign was not being ended before it got going, it was either ending on the final day courtesy of a poor goal difference or just one point short.

But the tide changed in 2016 when Faruku Miya’s lone strike against Comoros ended Uganda’s nearly 40-year absence from the table of men as the Cranes qualified for Gabon 2017 finals.

And now, it looks like the wave has turned for even better; the Cranes qualifying for their second successive finals – this time with a match to spare. And not only that, but without conceding a goal – the only side in the entire campaign thus far.
And while a section in Cranes and Fufa prefer qualifying with a country record 16 points, even if it meant beating Tanzania 2-1 on Sunday, some are hell-bent on a clean sheet.

“Of course we want to end the campaign with victory so as to increase our seeding chances,” Cranes long-serving goalkeeping coach Fred Kajoba told Daily Monitor.
“And it is good we have already qualified, so the pressure will be on Tanzania. But to tell you the truth, pressure is also on us in defence.

“Me and Onyango and the defence are deliberately working on ending without conceding. We want to keep our clean sheet record. We are going for a win. 1-0, 2-0, whatever but I would take 0-0 if the worst came to the worst.”

With Denis Iguma out injured and Hassan Wasswa suspended, Timothy Awany is expected to get his first senior start alongside Murushid Jjuuko in central defence, a partnership that will be tested out today when Cranes take on a local Egyptian club in a warm-up friendly in Ismailia.

Nicholas Wadada and Gofrey Walusimbi are expected to complete the back four that will be charged with ensuring the clean sheet survives Tanzanian deadly strikers Mbwana Samata and John Bocco on Sunday.

Afcon 2019 Egypt

Today: Local club vs Uganda Cranes
23rd March 2019:
24 man Uganda Cranes Squad fly to Tanzania
March 24: Tanzania vs Uganda

Group L standings

Team P W D L GF GA Pts
Uganda 5 4 1 0 7 0 13
Lesotho 5 1 2 2 3 7 5
Tanzania 5 1 2 2 3 5 5
Cape Verde 5 1 1 3 4 5 4

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