It’s exactly forty days before Uganda Cranes host Equatorial Guinea in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the 2015 Africa Nations Cup at Mandela National stadium, Namboole.
The Cranes booked a place at the stage after eliminating Madagascar on away goals rule despite a 2-2 draw whilst Equatorial Guinea dispatched Mauritania 3-1 on aggregate. Besides the ‘Nzalanga Nacional’ being a more decent opponent than Madagascar, the biggest challenge FUFA and Micho should solve first is ensure the team is kept training together before the game.
For starters, 90% of Cranes’ players are in off-season and thus no competitive football for them till we face Equatorial Guinea. According to Cranes coach Mulitin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic, the players have been given a rest but will soon return to training on a date yet to be communicated. “They are human beings and need to have some rest after long seasons but training will resume soon,” Micho told Kawowo Sports before revealing that there is a comprehensive plan drawn to cater for three groups of Cranes players. “We have drawn a comprehensive plan and after a critical analysis of every situation. It’s clear we have three groups of individuals. Those whose seasons are off (Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and South Africa), then those whose clubs will be undergoing pre-season preparations (Norway, Portugal, Turkey) plus those whose leagues are still competitive (Kenya, Vietnam, Kazakhstan),” explained Micho. “We intend to start non residential training in a near future with the local boys (plus those off) and later residential,” he added.
All said, it should be noted that the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) goes into half time break in a week’s time thus the contingent which comprises of Gor Mahia trio of Godfrey Walusimbi (returning from suspension), Daniel Sserunkuma and Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito, Tusker’s Aucho Khalid and Thika United’s Hamza Muwonge will be off too.
To ensure the boys keep in shape, Micho without naming opponents added that they are hoping to play three international friendlies before the competitive game against Equatorial Guinea. “We are in plans to have at least two home friendlies and one away match before the game,” he added.
Former Cranes coach Mike Mutebi says that it’s important the team is kept training as Ugandan players rarely self motivate themselves by training on their own during off-season. To Mike, this will help keep the fitness levels high instead of beginning from scratch if they are given long time off. “In my opinion, they should stay with coaches and train at least five days a week,” said Mutebi. “Ugandan players are not good trainers thus an eye should be kept on them closely and this can only happen under watchful eyes of the coaches,” he adds.
On the break to the players, the ex-KCC FC and SC Villa tactician disagrees citing examples of players to feature at World Cup yet they have had tougher seasons than ours. “Of course players need to rest but some situations call for resilience. Players to feature at the World Cup have had long seasons too,” Mutebi explains. On the planned international friendlies, Mutebi widens the scope by including East Africa and Meanwhile, reports from impeccable sources show that Micho is set to trim the national team from the 35 to 25 players for better concentration on the next game.
Truth be told, The Cranes didn’t put up a gallant performance over two legs against Madagascar but luckily got the desired results. If no improvement is made starting with better and early preparations, Uganda risks an early exit from the competition.
Besides, unlike in the previous round, Uganda plays the second leg away from home thus it’s better to have a big win at Namboole in the first tie. As evidenced against Mauritania, Equatorial Guinea is a big threat at their home as they overturned a 1-0 first leg loss away to comfortably win 3-0 at home. Cranes must start preparations NOW.