OCTOBER 8TH, 2011 5:00PM
MANDELA NATIONAL STADIUM NAMBOOLE – KAMPALA
REFEREE: SEECHUN RAJINDRAPASAD
Uganda cranes will be looking for a win to break the 34 year old jinx of failing to qualify for Africa’s biggest soccer tournament. The cranes last appearance at the competition was way back in 1978 when most of the current crop of players in this cranes side was not born yet. The cranes have been formidable at home for the last six years and their last home loss was against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
Having failed to at least gain a point from their tie against Angola early last month, they will be looking to regain that winning touch against East African rivals Kenya come Saturday to automatically book their place in the 2012 edition in Gabon & E.Guinea.
TEAM NEWS
Uganda cranes coach Bobby Williamson has a full squad at disposal to choose his troops from after the late arrival of Serbian based left back Nestroy Kizito. Besides, Masaba Simon who was a doubt after picking a knock on his back in a league game has also been confirmed fit and took part in yesterday’s drills. Portland Timbers’ striker Brian Umony has also been recalled to boost the attacking options while prodigal son Mike Sserumaga is also back. U-23 international winger Moses Oloya also has a chance to make his senior debut after impressing the coach in the recently concluded AAG in Maputo thus replacing Joseph kabagambe who has been an integral member of the team in the last two games.
FULL SQUAD – Denis Onyango, Hamza Muwonge, Abbey Dhairra, Simon Masaba, Denis Guma, Isaac Isinde, Nestroy Kizito, Andrew Mwesigwa, Ibrahim Ssekajja (cpt), Hassan Wasswa, Godfrey Walusimbi, Musa Mudde, Tony Mawejje, David Obua, Oloya Moses, Kayizzi Vicent, Mike Mutyaba, Mike Sserumaga, Massa Geofrey, Kasule Owen, Ssentongo Robert, Brian Umony, Geofrey Sserunkuma
Kenya Harambe stars coach Zedekia ‘’Zico’’ Otieno will miss the services of defender Anthony Kimani who is out injured and has also dropped danger man Paul Were from the squad that is preparing to take on Uganda. The Kenyans are camping in Kakamega and training from Mumias sports complex ahead of the encounter. Stopper Arnold Origi has also joined the team after his first attempt to fly to Kenya was frustrated by airplane mechanical problem and spent almost 24 hours stuck in Amsterdam tracing his luggage. Captain Denis Oliech and Spain based Mcdonald Mariga are also already in camp. Interestingly, the local based side of the Kenyans lost 2-0 in a friendly game against a local side on Monday.
FULL SQUAD – Arnold Origi, Edgar Ocheing, Mcdonald Mariga, Jamal Muhammad, Collins Okoth, Patrick Matasi, Denis Oliech, Moses Arita, James Situma, Osborney Monday, Jerim Onyango, Mike Baraza, Victor Mugabe, Victor Wanyama, Patrick Osiako, Julius Owino, Humphrey Otieno, and Robert Mambo.
DID YOU KNOW THIS?
Uganda cranes first ever international game was against Kenya Harambe stars in the Gossage cup on May 1st, 1926 and the game ended 1-1 in Nairobi.
Uganda and Kenya have met 56 times in all competitions with Uganda bagging 20 wins against Kenya’s 17 while 19 games have ended in draws.
Uganda cranes last participation in the competition came 34 years ago in 1978 in Accra Ghana were they lost 2-0 to the hosts while Kenya’s last appearance was recently in 2004. Both teams have taken part in 5 competitions with Uganda taking part in 1962, 1968, 1974, 1976 and 1978 while Kenya in 1972, 1988, 1990, 1992 and 2004.
Uganda cranes have not lost a game at Namboole since 2005 when they lost to a contentious Benni McCarthy penalty while playing South Africa. Since then, only Burkina Faso has picked a point after a 2-2 draw. The last meeting between these two teams at Namboole was in the 2008 Cecafa finals when Brian Umony’s solitary strike was enough for the cranes to win the cup.
Uganda cranes has not conceded a goal at home in this campaign while Kenya have not scored away from home with all their 4 goals in the campaign coming at home.
Uganda cranes beat Kenya 3-1 on aggregate in 1973 afcon qualifier. The first leg in Kampala ended 1-0 in favour of the hosts and they also won 2-1 away in Nairobi. Denis Obua and Ashe Mukasa on the score sheet for the cranes. Can David Obua repeat his father’s feat?
ONE TO WATCH
David Obua – He has undoubtedly been one of the stars so far. The talisman put in a terrific display against Angola in the opening fixture before scoring the solitary goal in Guinea Bissau as Uganda won 1-0 to brighten Uganda’s chances of qualification and break the away jinx. It will be interesting to see how he copes with the big Kenyans given that he is eager to make amends for his infamous anger after being subbed at home against Guinea-Bissau.
Dennis Oliech – He scored a 90th minute winner against Guinea-Bissau in the last game and remains the most important player for the Harambe stars. His recent displays for his club Axurre in France have seen him score 4 goals in 3 matches. He will be looking to extend Kenya’s habit of late goals for Zedekiah’s men against Uganda cranes.
PREDICTION
Derbies are always difficult games whose outcome depends on many things but a lot is at stake in this game. Kenya needs to revenge for recent defeats suffered at the hands of confident cranes and may be qualify if Angola does not win in Guinea-Bissau. However, the cranes want to return to the competition and break that 34yr old jinx. Their confidence at home is abundant after heavy weights Nigeria, Angola and the likes have been put to the sword at Fortress Namboole and Kenyans seem light weight. Its a tight game but in the end, I see the hosts winning narrowly.
Uganda cranes 2-1 Kenya Harambe stars
