International friendly matches seldom come on a silver platter.
In most cases, there are always heavy costs incurred and lots of documentations necessary to secure such matches on time.
During the aftermath of the international build up between Uganda Cranes and Malawi Flames at Mandela National Stadium, the former’s head coach Roony Van Geneudged has saluted the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) for inviting them for the match.
Speaking in fluent english after the match, Van Geneudged noted;
We would like to thank FUFA for organizing this international friendly match. It was a great test for the two teams and a good match only let down by the heavy down pour which made the pitch heavy
FUFA and the Government of Uganda fully facilitated for the two international build up matches for Uganda against Sao Tome and Prinicpe as well as that of Malawi.
The Belgian is well aware of the tasks ahead of his team when they visit North African country Morocco in the next round of the AFCON 2019 qualifiers.
Physical Uganda Cranes:
The Belgian born national described Uganda Cranes as a physical side with some technical players.
I happened to have watched Uganda play Sao Tome and Principe.
They were a physical side and i went back to warn my players to expect a physical contest from the very first minute.
They had a few technical players and two blockers but i balanced that with two offensive midfielders. It was a good game and we managed to get three chances, they also got some chances.
Malawi started with three offensive players Rafik Namwera, Chawanangwa Kaonga, Dalisto Sailesi as well as two main target men Roben Nealande and Richard Mbulu.
Meanwhile, Uganda Cranes’ Sebastien Desabre named Vipers’ Tadeo Lwanga and Egyptian based Hassan Wasswa Mawanda as the two blockers with two wide-men Lusaka Dynamos’ Joseph Ochaya (left) and Vipers’ Milton Karisa on the right as Yunus Sentamu led the line alongside Simba’s prodigal son Emmanuel Okwi.
The last time Uganda had faced Malawi was during their country’s independence celebrations in 2016 when they scored a last gasp winner to triumph 1-0.
Both countries (Uganda) optimally benefited from the build up with Uganda Cranes expected to play another friendly match in the May international break.
Uganda Cranes will face Tanzania at home during match day two of the AFCON 2019 qualifiers in September, 2018 as Malawi will travel to play Morocco.
HOW THE TWO SIDES LINED UP:
Uganda Cranes XI: Dennis Onyango (G.K, Captain), Dennis Iguma, Godfrey ‘Jajja Walu’ Walusimbi, Bevis Mugabi, Murushid Jjuuko, Tadeo Lwanga, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda, Milton Karisa (52’ Abraham Ndugwa), Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (60’ William Kizito Luwagga), Yunus ‘Manucho’ Sentamu (62’ Derrick Nsibambi), Joseph Benson Ochaya (94’ Fahad Bayo)
Subs Not Used: Salim Jamal Magoola (G.K), Charles Lukwago, Isaac Isinde, Timothy Dennis Awany, Alex Kakuba, Geofrey ‘Baba’ Kizito, Fahad Bayo, Hood Kaweesa
Head coach: Sebastien Desabre (France)
Malawi Flames XI: Charles Swini (G.K), Precious Sambani, Denis Chembezi, Limbikani Mzava, Gombezeani Chirwa, John Banda, Rafik Namwera (46’ Frank Banda), Chawanangwa Kaonga, Dalisto Sailesi (71’ Patrick Phiri), Roben Nealande, Richard Mbulu (46’ Cheiukepo Musowoya)
Subs Not Used: Brighton Muntari (G.K), John Lanjesi, Stanley Sanodi, Yamikani Fodya, Alfred Manyozo, Felix Zulu, Righteous Banda
Head coach: Ronny Van Geneugeden (Belgium)