When: Saturday October 11, 2014
Where: Mandela stadium, Namboole
Kickoff: [4:00 PM in Uganda, 1:00 PM in Togo]
Where: Mandela stadium, Namboole
Kickoff: [4:00 PM in Uganda, 1:00 PM in Togo]
The hunt for slots at the 2015 finals of Africa Nations Cup in group E reaches the half way mark with Uganda playing hosts to Togo at Mandela national stadium, Namboole.
Uganda come into the game full of confidence following their 2-0 win over Guinea in their previous game which keeps them top of the group on four points albeit same with Ghana though the Cranes have a better goal difference.
Unlike Cranes, Togo come into the contest on the back of losing their two opening games (2-1 vs Guinea and 3-2 vs Ghana) thus sit at the base of the 4 team log with no point.
Failure to attain victory or at worst a draw for Sparrow Hawks from this fixture will leave them as good as out as their slim hopes of making it to the finals in Morocco due next year will have vanished.
Cranes coach Mulitin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic is well aware of the threat posed by the Togolese but is confident his charges will down them at Namboole. “We have respect for Togo but that doesn’t mean we over respect them,” said Micho. “They have individual players who play for big European clubs but we have a team. They are very dangerous and need this game more than any other but we shall do anything possible to get a decent result,” he added.
Togo will get inspiration from the fact they have never lost to Uganda in the previous four meetings winning twice and drawing the rest. Their most recent visit to Kampala ended 3-0 in their favour during the 2002 AFCON qualifiers.
Midfielder Tonny Mawejje believes history won’t have room in deciding this fixture but current form. “We have never beaten them but that is history. I don’t think it will matter come Saturday. Besides, we also have a gallant record at home,” Mawejje told Kawowo Sports.
HEAD TO HEAD STATISTICS (Uganda Wins 0, Togo Wins 2 & Draws 2)
14/7/65. African Games Togo 1-1 Uganda
21/11/65. International Friendly Togo 1-1 Uganda
8/10/00. Afcon Qlfrs Togo 3-0 Uganda
2/6/01. Afcon Qlfrs Uganda 0-3 Togo
UGANDA CRANES TEAM NEWS:
Morale is high in camp with Micho having all available ammunition at his disposal to pick from. Unlike before, all the foreign based players were in camp by Tuesday, four days to the fixtures.
Micho is expected to maintain a similar back-line from the previous two games with Denis Onyango starting in goal whilst Denis Iguma, Godfrey Walusimbi, Andrew Mwesigwa and Savio Kabugo completing the back four.
In midfield, the Serb is expected to maintain the trio of Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito, Khalid Aucho and Tonny Mawejje.
It’s in attack that the Cranes technical team will have so much headache in deciding who joins Geoffrey Massa who is most likely lead the line. With on-form Kenya Premier League (KPL) top scorer Dan Sserunkuma, AS Vita marksman Yunus Ssentamu, CECAFA Kagame Cup top scorer Brian Umony plus returning Emmanuel Okwi all available for selection.
Added to the quartet is flying wingers cum midfielders Moses Oloya, Brian Majwega and the fast improving William Luwagga Kizito. If Micho opts for two natural centre forwards, expect Luwagga to start alongside Massa and either of Ssentamu or Sserunkuma going by current form.
MAN TO WATCH: Geoffrey Massa
The experienced Pretoria University forward leads the goal scoring charts in the competition with four goals and will hope to increase his goal tally to remain on top of the chart. Massa has developed a knack for tearing up defences at Namboole and expect The Cranes to leave with maximum points if he enjoys a good day at office.
Uganda Cranes Probable XI:
Denis Onyango (GK), Denis Iguma, Andrew Mwesigwa (c), Savio Kabugo, Godfrey Walusimbi, Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito, Aucho Khalid, Tonny Mawejje, Yunus Ssentamu, Geoffrey Massa and William Luwagga Kizito.
TOGO SPARROW HAWKS TEAM NEWS:
Coach Tchanile Tchakala named a strong squad for the tie including striker Emmanuel Adebayor. The Sparrow Hawks have kept their travel secrets close to their chests with reports indicating they have been camped as nearer as Nairobi since Tuesday this week.
Though most sources point to Nairobi, Kawowo Sports understands that the West Africans pitched camp in Kigali, Rwanda so as to acclimatize to the weather.
They are expected to touch down at the Entebbe International Airport on Friday afternoon and expected as per the FIFA rules and regulations to have a feel of Namboole later on Friday evening. Captain Emmanuel Adebayor has already arrived in the country minus his teammates.
MAN TO WATCH: Emmanuel Adebayor
The Tottenham Hotspurs striker is amongst the few most technically gifted players in Africa at the moment and the Cranes defence must be alert to keep him silent for as long as he is on the pitch.
With 28 goals in 59 international games for Togo, Ade will be keen on increasing his tally plus help his side to their first point(s) of the campaign. Whichever result Togo gets in Kampala will depend on how the gangly striker performs.
TOGO SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Agassa Kossi (Reims), Djihani Nguissa (Dyto) and Nouridine Yacoubou (Semassi).
Defenders: Akakpo Serge (Horvela), Tawali Magnima (AS Douane), Ouro Akoriko Sadate (Amazulu FC), Donou Kokou (Maranatha), Mawouna Amevor (Go Ahead Eagles), Kousso Kodjovi Nono (Bayern-Munich) Nouwoklo Martin Kossivi (Maranatha) and Djene Dakonam (AD Alcordon).
Midfielders: Alaixys Romao (Marseille), Zato Arouna Farid (Kr Reykjavik), Ayité Floyd (Bastia), Matthieu Dossevi (Olympiakos), Segbafia Prince (Zorya Lugansk), Atakora Lalawelé (AIK) and Womé Dové (SuperSports United).
Strikers: Peniel Mlapa (Nuremberg), Serge Gakpé (Nantes), Ayité Jonathan (Alanyaspor), Adebayor Sheyi Emmanuel (Tottenham), Abraw Calmadine (Free State Stars) and Mama Zougou Nazif (Semassi).
FACTS:
• The last meeting between the two nations was on June 2, 2001. Togo beat Uganda 3-0 at Nakivubo
• Uganda last qualified for AFCON finals in 1978 while Togo last featured in 2013
• Both teams have scored three goals in their group E matches. However, Togo has conceded 5 against Uganda’s 1.
• Uganda has only won two of their previous 3rd group game in ten.
PREDICTION:
Tough game for either side. Togo needs a minimum of a point to keep hopes of playing at the finals in Morocco alive while Cranes understand that anything less than victory will leave the side in a tricky mathematical situation.
Tight one but I go for The Cranes simply because of their brilliant home record. Uganda 2-1 Togo. What is your PREDICTION?