Cranes determined to deliver in Praia City

KAMPALA.

More than anyone, the Cranes know how crucial an opening match of any competition is, more so when the opponent is widely seen as one to steal a point from if you are to stand a greater chance of winning the war.

“It’s the highest match that we are having in the group,” Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic told this newspaper ahead of the 2019 Nations Cup opener against Cape Verde tonight, “It means to us a lot.”
Uganda and Africa’s number one between the posts, Denis Onyango, agrees with the Serbian.

“We are all focused on getting a result on the weekend because it is very important to get points in the first game against one of the best teams in the group,” said Onyango.

“I believe Cape Verde is the most dangerous team in the group. To get a good result against them will open up our chances of qualifying for the next Nations Cup in Cameroon. So it’s very important for us to start on a high note.” And when you read Hassan Wasswa’s mind, too; the defender cum-midfielder, who captained the Cranes in the two goalless friendlies against Ethiopia and Senegal preceding today’s game, all you see is unified determination.

“We have spent together two weeks now,” said Wasswa, “Played two friendlies, and with the coach we have worked on key areas needed to be worked on.

“We know it will not be an easy game because Cape Verde is a very strong team; a team I could say is about our level. But we are ready for the game.”

Yet Onyango admits that the Cranes have to do more going forward. “I think the team has done well defensively. Going forward, yes we haven’t scored goals but I do believe we have the ability to do that. “It’s better to start defensively than going all out and leave your backline open. So for me I think the team is in the right shape, heading to the right direction.”

Uganda and Cape Verde have played each other twice in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, both winning their home legs 1-0. Indeed, Cape Verde are the closest to Uganda in Fifa ranking, the Cranes in 71st and the Blue Sharks 84th. The other Group L sides, Tanzania and Lesotho, are 139th and 140th respectively.

Emmanuel Okwi and Derrick Nsibambi, with fine feet of Farouk Miya right behind them, are expected to lead Uganda’s attack, while Cape Verde’s Spartak Moscow forward, Zé Luís, is one of those to be watched closely by Wasswa, Onyango and company.

Uganda Cranes probable XI
Denis Onyango, Godfrey Walusimbi, Juuko Murshid, Bernard Muwanga, Nicholas Wadada, Hassan Wasswa, Khalid Aucho, Isaac Muleme, Farouk Miya, Emmanuel Okwi, Derrick Nsibambi

Substitutes: Ismail Watenga, Benjamin Ochan, Robert Kakeeto, Timothy Awany, Denis Okot, Karisa Milton, Geoffrey Sserunkuma, Muhammed Shaban