- CHAN 2018 Qualifiers (1st Round, 2nd Leg): Uganda Cranes 5-1 South Sudan (Agg: 5-1)
Until the match day, SC Villa Jogoo defender Bernard Muwanga did not expect to wear the national team arms band for the Uganda Cranes against South Sudan in the CHAN 2018 first round qualifier at Lugogo, Kampala.
A knock for team skipper Geofrey Sserunkuma a day to the final session prior to the match forced the technical and medical team to grant the KCCA striker who is destined for a move to Zambia rest in the final session.
Initially, when it was revealed Sserunkuma was to start on the sidelines, first deputy captain Nico Wakiro Wadada was favourite to wear the arm band and lead the rest of the players.
Shockingly, Muwanga was the preferred choice ahead of Wadada.
He led the soldiers gallantly on home turf, winning 5-1 on the day with striker Paul Mucureezi running the goal scoring show as he scored 3 goals single handedly.
Fellow KCCA striker, Derrick Nsibambi got the opener on the day.
Muwanga, a former captain at Uganda Premier league side, Bright Stars football club sings praise of the golden chance;
It was a great opportunity for me which i embraced hungrily.
In a special way, he hails the team work mentality that propelled the team to the memorable result.
I thank all the teammates who rallied behind to rise up to the task.
Team work is all we needed
Usually employed at central defense at his parent club, Muwanga, was this time round deployed as a central defensive midfielder.
The former goalkeeper attested to his versatile role, where he acknowledges, he needs to work harder and improve in all aspects of the game – positioning, command, passing, close ball control, heading and shooting.
About the midfield performance in the match against South Sudan, I just want to keep improving. I love to be a versatile player. After all, some years back i was also a goalkeeper.
