In the wake of the Uganda Cranes 2-0 bitter loss to Kenya Harambee Stars in a Group B CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup fixture, head Coach Mulitin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has attributed the loss to inexperience in his team.
This is a team we are building for the CHAN 2016 finals in Rwanda. We have not had many of them play for the national senior team (apart from Okhuti and team captain Farouk Miya).
Forwards Jacob Keli and his replacement Michael Olunga inflicted the damage to the Uganda Cranes side in a derby fixture the Kenyans dominated.
Initially, Micho used a lone striker in Express’ Ceasar Okhuti as Erisa Ssekisambu and Joseph Ochaya offered the support from the right and left flanks respectively.
Upon the start of the second half, the Serbian born tactician whose 15 year epoch on the African scene emits volume withdrew left back Isaac Muleme for Ivan Ntege and an immobile Hassan Wasswa Dazo for the workholic Kezironi Kizito.
The two changes meant a slight change in formation with Ochaya shifting to left back as Kezironi, Ntege and Miya manned the midfield.
The last change witnessed URA F.C striker, Frank Kalanda replace the effective Erisa Ssekisambu upfront as now the team switched back to the customary two man attack force.
For that particular match, only Miya, Ochaya and defender Murushid Jjuko are regular figures in the current Uganda Cranes setting.
Micho believes the team will quickly recover from the loss as the tournament comes up.
We shall recover. Much as Kenya presented their World Cup squad that recently played against Cape Varde, these players will do the best.
Uganda plays Zanzibar in Awassa City on Tuesday.
How the Cranes lined up against Kenya:
Uganda Cranes XI: Alitho James(GK), Denis Okot, Isaac Muleme, Bakaki Shafiq, Murushid Jjuko, Hassan Wasswa Dazo,Erisa Sekisambu, Mutyaba Muzamil, Miya Faruku(capt), Okhuti Ceasar, Joseph Ochaya
Changes:
45′ Kezironi Kizito for Hassan Wasswa Dazo, Ivan Ntege for Isaac Muleme
67′ Frank Kalanda for Erisa Ssekisambu
Subs Not Used:
Mathias Kigonya (GK), Richard Kasagga, Nelson Senkatuka, Joseph Nsubuga
See related stories:
*Uganda loses to Kenya in 2015 CECAFA
*Cranes player ratings against Kenya | 2015 CECAFA
*Kenya’s coach Bobby Williamson dimisses ‘disrespectful’ Micho
