LG Cup: Cranes seek redemption against Morocco
LG Cup, tonight
Cameroon v Sudan, 8pm
Morocco v Uganda, 11pm
KAMPALA - If they win it, it will be welcome news but the Uganda Cranes are expected to put up just a decent showing in the LG Cup that kicks off on Friday in Marrakech, Morocco.
The Cranes open against hosts Morocco, with Cameroon facing Sudan in the other match of the four-nation invitational LG tournament.
Cranes coach Bobby Williamson is expected to use this tournament to help players psychologically recover from the 2012 disappointment in which they failed to qualify for Gabon and Equatorial Guinea on the very last day.
It is also to prepare for the Cecafa that kicks off in a fortnight’s time. The Cranes are grouped with Somalia, Zanzibar and Burundi in the Cecafa.
Morocco invited a strong team but media reports in Marrakech indicate Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh is a huge doubt following his knee injury worsening.
Portland Timbers striker Brian Umony is a clear favourite to start upfront but Bobby will have to decide who between last season’s Uganda Super League top scorer, now at Yanga in Tanzania - Hamis Kiiza – and current league lead net buster, URA’s Robert Ssentongo, partners the Major League Soccer man.
Tonny Mawejje and Musa Mudde are likely to keep their twin role in the centre of the park but Mose Oloya is expected to dislodge Vincent Kayizzi from the right midfield. Mike Sserumaga is likely to operate from the left wing.
With Isaac Isinde seemingly Bobby’s favourite to start at centre back, Henry Kalungi could be given a debut appearance along the St George man but he will have to give the coach a strong reason to displace the experienced Hassan Wasswa.
Simeon Masaba is a resident at right back while Bobby will have to decide between APR’s Habib Kavuma and Bunnamwaya’s Godfrey Walusimbi for left back.
That is if the Scot does not prefer a defensive approach of Kavuma going forward on the left and Walusimbi staying back, just like he did at the Nile Basin in Egypt early this year.
Onyango is the strong favourite in goal but with another game coming on Sunday, Abel Dhaira could also be handed a cameo appearance.
The champions will stash $60,000 (Shs170m), runners-up: $30,000 (Shs85m), third $20,000 (Shs56m) and fourth $10,000 (Shs28m).
Cranes squad
GK: Abel Dhaira (IBV), Dennis Onyango (Sundowns), DF: Simeon Masaba (URA), Henry Kalungi (Proline), Godfrey Walusimbi (Bunnamwaya), Habib Kavuma (APR), Hassan Wasswa, Kayseri Erciyesspor), Isaac Isinde, MD: Tonny Mawejje (IBV), Musa Mudde (Sofapaka), Vincent Kayizzi (URA), Mike Mutyaba (Bunnamwaya), Patrick Ochan (TP Mazembe), Mike Sserumaga (St George), Moses Oloya (Sai Gon XT),ST:Robert Ssentongo (URA), Hamis ‘Diego’ Kiiza (Yanga), Emma Okwi (Simba, Tz), Brian Umony (Timbers)
