Clinical finishing only sure way to Gabon

Kampala
The last time Uganda qualified for the Africa Nations Cup, they went all the way to the final, 32 years ago.

Uganda’s proud displays saw them beat Congo-Brazzaville, Morocco and Nigeria enroute to the final where they lost 2-0 to hosts Ghana with striker Phillip Omondi finishing top scorer on three.

But ever since, talents; Majid Musisi (RIP), Sadiq Wassa, David Obua and Ibrahim Sekagya have agonizingly tried to relive the moment in vain.

And with Uganda’s opponents; Kenya, Guinea Bissau and Angola determined, it’s time the Cranes break the murky and qualify for Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in 2012.

While it’s less argued that the ’78 crop of Omondi and Jimmy Kirunda was exceptionally cohesive, they were also lucky. Uganda then had only one opponent to negotiate to qualify for Accra.

Negotiate them they did drawing goalless away and dispatching the Ethiopians 2-1 here, Edward Sserumaga on target.

One could argue, rightly so, that under a similar arrangement, Uganda could actually have been at several Nations Cups, with Namboole Stadium now a fortress.

But again, Uganda haven’t been without opportunities to prove themselves, fluffing glorious chances at the most defining of moments.

One constant has been the sheer lack of initiative from strikers. When the Cranes have been eliminated, it’s been by a goal or two deficit.

Coach Bobby Williamson and Ugandans will hope and pray to avoid that when the Cranes kick-start their 2012 campaign on September 4, against Angola in Kampala.

The Scot has to fashion some kind of magic to ensure Uganda end their chronic goal-shyness - a fact most responsible for the country’s unyielding and desperate attempts to qualify.

Buffer zone
The underlying actuality is Uganda boast of possibly the best defence in the region, a cushion Williamson should build on to assemble a complete team that will not only put away their chances at home but also conjure draws and away wins.

Uganda’s last two campaigns have been decently tight (at home) at the back while lethargic upfront.

In the 2008 Ghana qualifiers, Laszlo Csaba’s Cranes were the second best scorers with only eight goals in their group, two behind leaders Nigeria, while conceding only three.

Uganda won all their three home matches beating Lesotho 3-0, Nigeria 2-1 and Niger 3-1, meaning all the eight goals were scored at home.

The atrocious away form never seemed to abate as the Cranes drew goalless in Niger and Lesotho, and lost controversially 1-0 to Nigeria.

Uganda consequently finished second with 11 points behind leaders Nigeria with 15 and stood chance to qualify as one of three second best placed teams.

But the drama in South Africa where Zambia thrashed the hosts four quick-fire goals ensured ‘Uganda’s’ slot was ‘robbed’. Had the Cranes scored one more in their last game against Niger here, the 32-year duck would be ‘the late’ now. Uganda again treaded the same road in Angola 2010, winning all home matches against Niger 1-0, Angola 3-1 and Benin 2-1 but stuttering away.

The Cranes managed a point in Angola, lost terribly 4-1 in Benin and 3-1 in Niger.
Under new coach Williamson, after Csaba had quit, Uganda finished third on 10 points after scoring eight and conceding nine - missing out on Angola, again on goal-deficit.

A trophy winning team should either have goals distributed around the squad or a talismanic striker.

Somehow, Uganda have fallen short on that. When defenders and midfielders have come in to help with the goals, strikers have taken a French leave.
Scoring rate
Strikers Eugene Ssepuuya and Geoffrey Massa were the country’s top scorers in the Angola 2010 qualifiers with two goals each. Defenders Andy Mwesigwa, Ibrahim Sekagya, and wingers David Obua plus Dan Wagaluka netted the other four.

Fair enough but insufficient enough as well, especially, if your top scorers boast of two goals apiece.

The Ghana edition was even flattering. Obua, a winger, was not only the top scorer for the Cranes but for the entire qualifiers with five - of the total eight for the team.

Of Obua’s five, three were penalties, one a free kick and the other a header showing the Cranes’ inefficiency to freely score in open play.

“We’ve scored quite a number of goals lately and I trust my players can score more,” said Williamson in defence.

But while Cecafa January 2009, where Uganda scored 16 and conceded only one, was a goal fest, the November edition in Nairobi saw a new low as the Cranes netted nine (one an own goal) and let in one.

January had better distribution with striker Brian Umony top-scoring with five, Tony Mawejje four, Massa and Stephen Bengo two each, defenders Simeon Masaba and Mwesigwa one apiece.

Despite defending the title, winger Dan Wagaluka topped strikers to lead with two. Strikers Robert Ssentongo and Massa scored one each.

Statistics demand that strikers come to the fore if Uganda are to qualify this time. The country’s most prized youngster Umony will play in his first qualifiers and looks a prospect.

Away points should be picked as well and the fact that Uganda managed 11 and 10 points in the last two attempts but still didn’t progress leaves them needing 12 to make sure. Hope is that the 3-2 away win over Tanzania and the earlier 2-0 triumph away in Sudan become a habit.

Most importantly, early preparations from Fufa and the government will be priceless.

Ghana 2008 qualifiers
David Obua 5 (winger)
Geoffrey Massa 2 (striker)
Ibrahim Sekagya 1 (defender)

Angola 2010 Qualifiers
Geoffrey Massa 2 (striker)
Eugene Ssepuuya 2 (striker)
Andy Mwesigwa 1 (defender)
Ibrahim Sekagya 1 (defender)
David Obua 1 (winger)
Dan Wagaluka 1 (winger)