Uganda Cranes defender Bernard Muwanga believes the ‘hunger and confidence’ in the team will be key for the Cranes ahead of the CHAN tournament in Rwanda that kicks off this Saturday, January 16.
Speaking to Kawowo Sports, the Bright Stars captain said they are more than ready to take on the challenge .
We are definitely ready for any kind of challenge. The mood in the camp is fascinating and our heads are up. We are prepared and will try to give our best
Uganda is placed in Group D alongside last edition’s quarter finalists Mali, 2009 second runners up Zambia and Zimbabwe whose best performance came in 2014 when finished fourth .
Uganda have participated in the last two editions, 2011 and 2014 but have never made it out of the group stages.
Despite the above, the defender who also played at right back and in midfield in the 2015 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup held in Ethiopia where Uganda won their 14th record title says they are not scared because they are not looking at their opponents’ past performances in the tournament.
We are not scared. We are not looking at what our opponents have achieved in the tournament. We just want to win our games because we know we can do it. We have the desire and we are also hungry for success and that’s where we derive our motivation from. I believe the confidence and hunger in the team will help us go far in the tournament.
Geographically, Uganda nears Rwanda and are both part of the East African Community unlike its opponents. Muwanga believes this will play to Uganda’s advantage .
I believe the geography favours us. Majority of us have been to Rwanda so we are definitely accustomed to the country. With support from our fans who I’m certain will flock the stadiums in big numbers, we stand a high chance.
Uganda Cranes played to a 1-1 draw in the build-up match with Gabon on Sunday at the FUFA Technical Centre Njeru, in a bid to prepare both physically and mentally for the tournament .
