Uganda Cranes Na – Mutima Northern Tour:
Northern Region Select Team 0 – 5 Uganda Cranes
Upcoming AFCON Qualifying Fixture:
October 11th : Uganda Vs Togo (At Namboole Stadium)
The National senior team, The Cranes traveled to Gulu District on Sunday for the Nile Special Cranes Na – mutima campaign when they overcame a hard fighting and physical Northern region select side with a 5 – 0 humiliation.
Saidi Kyeyune notched a brace with other strikes coming from Karim Ndugwa, William Wadri and a Richard Langoya own goal.
Kawowo Sports’ David Isabirye caught the match at Pece Stadium that was watched by a record crowd and presents the big talking points from the match.
Co-ordinated Inter-Play:
It is a joy for any technical team world over to witness their team inter-pass with ease, defend in numbers, create and convert as many goal scoring opportunities.
The Cranes team in Gulu excelled at building play from the backline. They would have registered a cricket scoreline had Mathew Odong, Saidi Kyeyune and Brian Nkuubi not been wasteful on the day.
All the 3 goal goal keepers (Benjamin Ochan, Brian Bwete and Ismail Watenga) who traveled with the team had a share of the match but it was Bwete with whose count for the shots saved outnumbered the rest.
Debuts to 7 Cranes Players:
SC Villa left back, Fred Nkata, his team mate, Karim Ndugwa, Kira Young’s Baker Lukooya, Derrick Teko Brian Nkuubi and Isa Lumu, Vipers’ left back, Dan Birikwarira and URA goal keeper, Brian Bwete enjoyed colourful debuts on the senior national team.
Lukooya was excellent as he was involved in several build ups. Infact, he created two goals, the first an own goal from Richard Langoya after a temptingly well laid in ball was connected past goalie Emmanuel Rubangkene.
Another Kira Young diminutive striker, Brian Nkuubi set up Saidi Kyeyune for the 5th goal.
Left backs, Dan Birikwariwa and Fred Nkata enjoyed their maiden senior caps and this is good food for thought for Micho and the technical team given the fact that CECAFA, and the Olympics qualifiers are just months away.
Ndugwa, a regular for the U-23 side opened the scoring for the national team, a well tapped effort from a Kyeyune through ball after 36 minutes of action.
Hassan Wasswa’s Impressive Form:
Wasswa’s journey to full recovery in terms of fitness and commitment has been finally marked.
He skippered the side in Gulu before handing over the arm band to Denis Iguma as he was replaced by a debutant, Derrick Teko.
Wasswa executed well timed tackles and enjoyed passing the ball alongside Kyeyune, Ivan Ntege and William Wadri.
Kyeyune’s Man of the Match Performance:
The URA captain played with full of life. He netted a brace (the second and fifth strikes) and was involved in Karim Ndugwa’s opener and William Wadri’s goal with two defence splitters.
Kyeyune looked hungry for more strikes with lung bursting late runs from midfield to the opposition area area.
The passionate Cheering Crowd:
One of the major aims for this Cranes Na – Mutima campaign is to take the beautiful game and the national team closer to the people.
The passion by which the Gulu community and fans from the neighboring districts of Oyam, Lira and other areas caught my attention.
Close to 3000 fans filled the Pece stadium to watch their favourite stars in action.
Overall, the campaign will be looked at as a success following mammoth gatherings in Western and North East regions.
The team gives the technical team a complex puzzle, wide variety of players’ pool and an early preparation strategy for the remaining AFCON games, CECAFA and the 2015 Olympic qualifiers.
