06/09/2024
The cranes open their AFCON 2025 Qualifying campaign away to Bafana Bafana(South Africa) tonight . They are in a group with Congo Brazzavile and south Sudan, congo beat Sudan 1-0 yesterday to go top of the table.
This game brings back the memories of 2005 world cup qualifiers between uganda and South Africa.
In the build up to the game coach Mohamood Abbas would always remind his players how South Africa was dangerous all over. They had Quinton Fortune in the Squad ,Benni Mccarthy, Makoena and Zuma.
Abbas highlighted one player Zuma as the most dangerous and they don't know how to stop him. Wherever he found Nestroy Kizito in camp, he would tell him ""my friend Zuma, f go and rest you in trouble , I don't know Zuma" That is how Kizito Nestroy Kizito gets the Zuma Nickname.
Uganda lost 1-0 at Nambole and 2-1 in South Africa.
That Game opened doors fir David Obua, Dan obote, Timothy Batabaire and Posnet Omwony they all ended up in the South African League.
Like it was in 2005 the Bafana Bafana are slight favourites for this one ,paul put and his men are all in Transition they are learning about each other.
The cranes this time have 2 players in their fold who ply their trade in South africa. Unfortunately they are both keepers , one is new lukwago Charles and Watenga who has spent over 3 seasons down their.
Watenga and retired Denis onyango will help give the cranes technical wing a proper insight of their opponets.
Bafana are without keeper Rowen and Percy Tau.
Rowen is injured , Tau was not summoned, The mantle to cause mayhem to the cranes is handed to Kyle and Tebho Mokwena. Mokwena is a midfield Picasso and one of the hottest on the continent . The mamelodi sundown man should not be allowed to boss the midfield. They also have a flying right full back , he has dangerous surging runs forward. The cranes left side should be on a stand still.
With all due respect the Bafana bafana have players who are technically and tactically better than the cranes young developing players.
The cranes should be disciplined and work hard if they are to get a result. We normally tend to underestimate the South Africans and players should be cautioned.
CRANES PREDICTED LINE UP:
WATENGA,BWOMONO,AZIZ KAYONDO,MUGABI,CAPODOLOSI,AUCHO, SEKIGANDA,TRAVIS MUTYABA,OMEDI,MATO,MUKWALA.