The Francistown stadium announcer, Comfort Ramatebele in a rather low and crest fallen tone congratulated Uganda Cranes for the historic 2-1 away victory over Botswana Zebras seconds after the FIFA referee Victor Miguel De Freitas Gomes’ final whistle.
Majority of Botswana players sat on the well maintained playing lea in total disappointment as they were comforted by the opponents.
For the second time in the current African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2017 qualifiers, Uganda had earned an away victory.
Portuguese based winger, William Luwagga Kizito and Gor Mahia star midfielder Aucho Khalid were on mark for the Ugandans at Francistown sports complex.
This win followed a slim 1-0 at Comoros in Moroni last year.
Attaining this victory might have ‘shocked’ many considering Uganda’s miserable away performance over the years as well as the opponents’ unbeaten run at the Francistown sports complex.
Botswana had never lost at the Francistown since the stadium inauguration in 2015.
West African giants Burkina Faso and Comoros are two countries that faced the wrath of the Zebras at the beautiful 30,000 seater sports facility, situated over 500KM away from the capital city, Gaborone.
As one person who got closer to the team before the international friendly match in Zimbabwe and the real AFCON 2017 qualifier that followed days later in Botswana, I noted a few issues that drove the Cranes.
Technically and tactically, the head coach, Milutin Sredojevic and his crew did the right home work best.
With Micho’s undoubted scouting policy and psychological approach to the game, the Uganda Cranes players were bound to benefit one way or another.
Micho’s back room staff of Moses Basena (first assistant), Fred Kajoba (goalkeeping tactician), team manager Crispus Muyinda, the medical crew of Ronald Kisolo and Ivan Ssewanyana did a commendable job.
It would be totally unfair to deny the fact that Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) was this time round spot on with the all the preparations prior to the international build up and the real match.
“The build-up match against Zimbabwe awakened us. We learnt a lot from the match and player readiness levels. One match is better than 10 training sessions” Micho is quoted to have confessed in Zimbabwe, after the 2-0 loss to the home team.
In the build-up, Micho virtually tested all the players available except for goalie Dennis Onyango and midfielder Faruku Miya (the duo were rested for varying reasons).
He tested out various player combinations with Isaac Isinde partnering Murushid Jjuuko at center half before Wasswa was pulled back to see how he deals with Jjuuko.
Orlando Pirates crafty midfielder, Yassar Mugerwa started in central midfield with Hassan Wasswa before the second half combo of Aucho Khalid and Tonny Mawejje.
Gor Mahia left back Godfrey ‘Jajja Walu’ Walusimbi started ahead of KCCA’s Joseph Ochaya before Walusimbi pulled at left attack when Ochaya replaced Isinde at half time.
St George goalie, Robert Odongkara had a rare 90 minutes action as Rayon Sports lanky striker Davis Kasirye and Werder Bremen striker Lorenzen Melyven earned first caps in the treasured national team colours.
Sending an advance party delegation headed by the finance director, Decolas Kizza acted to provide a basis for smoothing the whole process and procedure in Zimbabwe and the neighboring Botswana.
The acclimatization process to the hostile chilly weather in Zimbabwe was top class with training sessions at Rufaro Stadium, Prince Edward High School and Hartsfield rugby stadium in Bulawayo, the second biggest city in Zimbabwe over 500KM from the capital, Harare.
Come the D-day in Francistown, the Cranes who had trained at the facility a day before were so much in comfort, playing relaxed but with pace and mission.
William Luwagga Kizito and Aucho’s goals were similar well worked out strikes that proved there was earlier practice over and over to get the flat Botswana backline unawares.
Gallant teamwork on the day with solid defending eventually won Uganda the crucial three points in the bag.
The right preparations, sound mentality, team work spirit, calm heads and explicit finishing enabled Uganda Cranes momentarily top group D before Burkina Faso’s hard earned 1-0 win at Comoros.
