GOOAL! SATURDAY VISION, SEPTEMBER 8, 2018 7 YOUR COLUMNISTS THE FIRST REAL TEST FOR COACH DESABRE ing ; guess who – Tanzania The welcome historic win Okwi and Farouk Miya among choices up- – in the semi-final with a for the U-17 team however front points to a manager who has come with duplicate 3-1 victory. has added to the pressure that an open door policy where it’s players who are As the Cranes take on Desabre must contend with going to decide their own fate. Taifa Stars this afternoon in having registered just a single Miya, the Cinderella boy of the AFCON 2017 the senior AFCON Group L win in nine games for Cranes campaign, inexplicably disappeared from the qualifier at Mandela National since he took over. horizon since Gabon and many wondered Stadium in Kampala, they will At a time when KCCA FC whether he had lost appetite for the game. believe that Tanzania; against has made significant strides Okwi’s experience with Tanzanian football is whom they have a good on the continent after playing what will probably grant him a starting place historic record already, could in the group stages of the CAF in the side but like Miya, his recent sojourns be their lucky charm. Champions League where with Cranes have been disappointing. Still in buoyant mood after they shocked giant clubs Al The defence has been the Cranes most as- the feat achieved by the U-17 Ahyl from Egypt and Etoile de sured department with Africa’s most dominant team two weeks ago, the Sahel from Tunisia. goalkeeper for the last two seasons Dennis Cranes will hold a significant His final squad of 23 in- Onyango confident to spearhead his charges psychological advantage over cludes names like again. their neighbours ranked 58 playmaker Allan Kateregga, But since Desabre’s takeover, the team has places below them in 140th goalkeeper Charles Lukwago, been leaking goals and looking vulnerable. position. midfielders Sadam Juma and Naming the starting back four could turn out The first game in a group Moses Waiswa who were not the most trying assignment. A choice between that also has Lesotho and part of the AFCON 2017 finals Denis Iguma and Nicolas Wadada is as cum- Cape Verde has come at a adventure but have since estab- bersome as deciding whether to keep Hassan time when both Uganda and lished themselves as potential Wasswa out of the starting line up altogether. Tanzania have had a change gems to raise the level of com- Joseph Ochaya is back in the reckoning at of guard at the bench. petition for starting places. a time when Godfrey Walusimbi is in the CHIEF FOOTBALL COLUMNIST Frenchman Sebastien Micho’s team lacked a natural headlines, either for his controversial transfer Desabre (inset, top), whose playmaker and creative think from Gor Mahia to Kaizer chiefs or his latest romance with African football tank, a weakness that was later return to form. he story will not end, will it; of Uganda has been mostly with clubs rudely exposed in Gabon. His Both excellent going forward as attacking left qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, is desperate to team’s strength was the collec- win backs but Walusimbi, the better defender. tournament after 39 years. start repaying the faith that tive spirit and unity of purpose. For sheer dynamism and work rate, home And why should it? There’s belief now Uganda placed in him when In Kateregga and Sadam, based Waiswa would be the better option for Tthat Uganda – currently ranked 82nd by FIFA – they handed him Sredojevic Desabre has a choice to change holding midfield but Khalid Aucho’s is as good as any team in Africa on their day. Milutin’s ‘Micho’ big size shoes to wear. and adopt an adventurous style that should (inset, below) elegance, touch and vision Last month, during the AFCON U-17 CECAFA The Serbian quit the job on a high and left place Kateregga – the most exciting attacking along with his exposure places him above the zone qualifiers, the national U-17 team fondly Ugandans seated in the clouds. midfield player since Steven Bengo – at the Vipers SC midfielder. known as Uganda Cubs etched themselves in Desabre, will have noted that it’s little known centre of activity, or Sadam; elegant playmak- The biggest conundrum though is Miya. On Uganda football history when they won the Ugandans Peter Onen and Matthias Lule, who er in the engine room. It remains to be seen current international form, he’s best suited championship to qualify for U-17 AFCON 2019 have restored Ugandans hope for the future after whether the Frenchman will resist the tempta- for the bench but his record in such decisive tournament. The first time. guiding the U-17 team to the U-17 AFCON 2019 tion. games could sway the nod. They beat Ethiopia 3-1 in the final after dislodg- finals tournament in Tanzania next year. The return of Yunus Sentamu, Emmanuel The job falls on Desabre. The National Sevens Circuit comes to a close he National rugby Sevens Circuit looked after by Even World Rugby management by the various stewards in dif- came to a close last weekend at the also pursuing bet- acknowledges that the ferent competitions. After successfully hosting Kyadondo sports grounds with Kobs ter sponsorship fastest way to spread the Africa Rugby Sevens Championship last lifting the trophy and Pirates winning for their players. the game and get in October you will understand my disappoint- Ttheir first ever overall title. Uganda Rugby THE more numbers (players ment. We can do much better. It was a long Seven’s season with 8 legs and Union (URU) and fans), is through with good nurturing and sound investment, should also seek CAPTAIN’S the Rugby Sevens. Bantwala Rugby Sevens we shall have very competitive teams on the much better deals Today, teams will participate in the now continent for years to come. for future compe- TIP Tournament hosts annual Bantwala Rugby 7s put together by an titions. HERBERT In future, we should organization dubbed 4040 at Legends. Many promising players The rugby be able to have Arua, The invitation only competition will wrap up The National Rugby Seven’s players are community has to WAFULA Kabale, Gulu, Lira, our rugby 7s season. selected from our competitions and there were finally re-embrace Mbale, Soroti, Mbarara, The 4040 organisation works with children in lots of promising players across most teams. the 2-day format Masaka, Fort Portal vulnerable communities and their main focus Selection headache is always a good thing which is standard practice World over. and other areas as potential hosts of the Na- is to ensure that each child can read and write. especially when faced with so much promising tional Rugby Sevens’ legs. The organisation through its Angaza talent. As we aspire to be regular competitors The 2-day format This will greatly help improve on the popu- programme is works with children in Kibuli at the global scene as a ‘core’ HSBC World Between now and the beginning of the 2019 larity and visibility of the game countrywide (Kikubamutwe) and Namugogo. This is one Series team, all of us have to firmly pull up our Rugby Seven’s Circuit, we should have hope- and hopefully get in more sponsorship. way our rugby community gives back to the socks every moment. fully adjusted to the 2-day format. For the 2018 competition, I applaud URU, society. Support the children by attending the Players have to invest in themselves by not Year in year out, we only hear excuses of Guinness, clubs, players and fans who have all tournament today. taking the shortcut to achieve success. Clubs unbearable costs and that has to be changed. contributed to a great Rugby Sevens season. should ensure that their players are well Club officials should anticipate and plan for We have to get much better next year. Herbert Wafula is an ex-captain of the Uganda trained in the basics of the game and well probably a leg or two in each region. The only hitch in my book was the poor time Rugby Cranes 7s and XVs. w .