Uganda Cranes begin their 2013 AFCON qualification campaign away to Congo Brazzaville tomorrow with the hope of breaking the 34 year old jinx of not participating at Africa’s biggest soccer piece. However, the retirement of Ibrahim Ssekagya, Nestroy Kizito and David Obua implies a new era in the life of the current Cranes side.
Its difficult to know what to expect from a new look national squad since for the past 10 or so years, the retired trio have been the foundation upon which the team was built. Despite their absence, Coach Bobby Williamson is confident the players at his disposal have enough quality to deliver.
“I’m surprised to be the only one who sees the quality in this team,” he says. “True, the retirement of Sekagya may have shocked the public but we have good replacements that are ready to do well,” he adds.
Turkish based Hassan Wasswa, Proline’s Henry Kalungi, and St. George’ s Isaac Isinde are all possible replacements but away to Congo, I expect Bobby to play Hassan Wasswa as captain Andy Mwesigwa’s partner in central defence because of the experience at international level which the rest of three lack in plenty.
Remember, they did well in the absence of Ibra against Guinea Bissau in Kampala while he was on suspension. Henry Kalungi looks the perfect replacement but is still young for a game of that caliber if selected yet Isaac Isinde’s partnership with Mwesigwa looked shaky at the recently concluded Cecafa championships.
With out David Obua, it is time for Brian Umony to stand up be and be counted as Uganda’s talisman at the moment. He put in a brilliant performance versus Kenya in the last campaign that left every one impressed and if he puts in a performance similar to that, may be Obua’s absence won’t be heavily felt.
Godfrey Walusimbi is almost a perfect replacement for Nestroy Kizito but still the flamboyance, game reading skills and experience of the latter will be solely missed in this encounter. Besides, who he plays with on the left flank almost comes into question since on form Sula Matovu was not summoned yet he had a very good cecafa tournament last year.
Bobby may be forced to use APR’s Kavuma Habib as a left winger though this deprives the team of creativity on the flanks yet most of Uganda’s creative play is from the wings and not centre. Emmanuel Okwi who was a late inclusion after Cyprus based Geofrey Massa opted out of the squad is lethal as we all saw in Dar Salam during cecafa thus the absence of Massa won’t be missed.
Since Sweden based Mutumba Kayongo’ s passport issue was sorted in time, I bet he will add a bit of creativity to the team that will only enhance our opportunities of scoring at least an away goal against Samba’s Congo. He has the ability to play left, right and centre of midfield something that will give Bobby a number of options.
