Uganda Cranes build on despite dugout changes

Uganda travelled to Tanzania in March with the Cranes having confirmed qualification to Afcon finals in Egypt with a match to spare, while the Taifa Stars had to win to make it.

It was, therefore, unsurprising to see the East African neighbours take the day and qualify, although the 3-0 dismissal left many mumbling at the manner.

But all that mattered little. All the then Cranes coach Sebastien Desabre had to do was return home and reorganise. The bigger task awaited in Cairo, where Uganda faced hosts Egypt, fancied DRC and tricky Zimbabwe.

Yet, qualifying was no longer news after coach Micho Sredojevic’s inspired burying of a four-decade absence from the finals in the previous edition in Gabon. Desabre and his men would now be judged on progressing from the group, and especially that now twice the number would advance to the next round as compared to Gabon 2017, where only eight teams would.

Egypt show
The 2019 edition, and onwards, had/will have 24 teams up from 16 in the previous ones. A shock 2-0 opening win over perennial campaigners DRC, with Patrick Kaddu and Emmanuel Okwi goals securing Uganda’s first victory at the finals since a Phillip Omondi-inspired semifinal triumph over Nigeria at Ghana ‘78, set the stage. Okwi, who missed the Gabon edition, scored his second in Uganda’s 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe, with goalkeeper and skipper Denis Onyango reminding all he remains one of the best on the continent with some eye-catching saves at the tournament.

Some of Uganda’s football and their fearless approach won them many fans in Egypt in that they still had a special place in the revellers hearts even after falling 2-0 to the Pharaohs in the group’s final match.

But a combined four points from the victory and draw over Zimbabwe were enough for Uganda to - for the first time since 1978 - progress to the knockout stage.

Striking cloud
The progress was, however, overshadowed by a player strike. They threatened to lay down their tools for the last 16 tie against Senegal, even missing a training session. Cranes players accused Fufa of backtracking on promised bonus for progressing to the knockout stage, whereas the football body insisted the bonus was instead for beating Senegal, and not just progressing.

A win earned each Cranes player $4000, draw $2000 and nothing for defeat. The Cranes went on to narrowly lose to Senegal 1-0 and pack their bags back home but that dirty mark was never going to be washed away. Having impressed with his attacking football and freedom of play, Desabre - who replaced Micho December 2017 -was to quit Cranes as Egyptian side Pyramids FC, who have since sacked him, came calling.

Abdallah Mubiru took over in the interim. On the pitch, they at least stayed the standards, sweeping aside Somalia and Burundi to qualify for their fifth 2020 Chan finals, where they must also advance from the group stages to signify real progress.

It was a dismal showing as guests at the 2019 Cosafa as Uganda, under Mubiru, lost two penalty shootouts to Lesotho and hosts South Africa.

Powerful Afcon 2021 start
But Mubiru and Livingston Mbabazi, who were retained amonsgt the coaching staff, were to team up with new Cranes head coach Johnny McKinstry to lead Uganda to an unprecedented 15th Cecafa title this month (December) by winning every match.

McKinstry, who has also beaten Ethiopia away and drawn with Kenya in Nairobi in friendlies, is yet to test defeat.

But it is the impressive goalless draw away to Burkina Faso and 2-0 home victory over Malawi to set the Afcon 2021 finals qualification ball rolling that has McKinstry walking into 2020 with much assuredness.