Tuesday, 17th January 2017 will forever remain a momentous day in the history of Uganda’s football.
On the day, regardless of the final result, Uganda Cranes returned to the biggest continental football event – The Africa Cup of Nations.
The heart breaking moment when Andre Ayew beat goalkeeper Dennis Onyango from 12 yards after he converted a penalty sent shock waves across the spines of many in the Port Gentil stadium and those millions catching the game live on television.
Uganda Cranes made a statement especially when the three stanzas of the Uganda national anthem were sung.
I could see the players, officials and fans sing aloud the anthem with passion and excitement.
That was our moment. Faruku Miya’s well drilled shot on the basement of the Ghana goal was so close a moment that Uganda came to scoring.
The struggle continues when we play Egypt on Saturday.
I managed to talk to a number of players at the team’s base located at the leafy Hotel Du Parc on the outskirts of Port Gentil.
The players themselves remain confident of a positive result come Saturday.
Even their body language at the team’s training on Thursday evening spoke volume of expectations.
They seem to be ready to enter the field of play with a bold mission at hand – win the game against all the odds.
Good enough though, we shall be welcoming back two important members on the team, Murushid Jjuuko and Aucho Khalid who missed because of accumulated yellow cards from the qualifiers.
Even the team officials have the same philosophy and school of thought.
Uganda Cranes need that first goal, first point, first three points at the biennial tournament as basis of qualifying from the group.
We have the potential and football being an unpredictable sport, we can fight for the result in unison.
MUJJE TULUMBE.
