The Cranes Can Only Get Better Judging from Their CECAFA Performance
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Saturday Vision, December 1, 2012 6 TUSKER CECAFA CHALLENGE CUP Comment IT’S TOO CLOSE TO CALL choice between an Burundi have played their young- may have made a false start against Abramovich at his best empty stadium and sters and haven’t they looked bril- Uganda but they recovered quickly From the time Roman Abramov- great football may liant? Their technical skills and flair to beat South Sudan. Unlike ich took over in 2003, Chelsea have sound unusual, but it have lit up dull matches and in the previous tournaments, the 2012 won the Premiership (3), FA Cup Aldrine has turned out to be process, covering up for the empty Kampala edition appears bal- (4), League Cup (3), Community the distinct feature of seats in the terraces. anced and unpredictable, with only Shield and European Cup (1). The Athe CECAFA Tusker 2012 tourna- As expected, the Cranes have South Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea London club are now officially a Nsubuga ment. If numbers count for any- looked mature in approach. And to looking out of sorts. Somalia, had trophy winning club and Abramov- thing, then the short crisp passes their credit, they too, have looked to handpick players scattered all ich was never going to let any- that have characterised matches good technically - especially Oloya, over Kampala, same way they one – least of all - European Cup involving Ethiopia, Rwanda, Bu- Joseph Ochaya, Isaac Isinde and handpicked Sam Ssimbwa, as the winning coach drop standards to rundi, Somalia, Uganda, Zanzibar Geoffrey Kizito. Old boy, ‘Micho’ man to give them a semblance of a the level of no-win-in-five games. and even South Sudan in the first - the Rwanda coach from Serbia team. He never did. Ssimbwa has That to many a club owner is a week of the tournament have is exuding confidence and pleasure cited language barrier as his biggest blip. To the Russian, it is a crisis. A spiced up dull environments in at the progress his recent gradu- drawback, but even he knows, they ‘small club’ defeatist mentality that Namboole stadium. ates from under-17 are making. are only in it to make the numbers he wants to consign to the dust Fireworks had been expected in Burundi, like Uganda, have bagged and a political statement. Burundi, heap of history at Chelsea. From the region’s oldest derby between six points from two games Rwanda, Kenya and Ethiopia have managers to players, Chelsea must Uganda and Kenya but instead we and are looking very already made their own now think like elites. Roberto Di got nerves. When Geoffrey Kizito solid especially statements. They are Matteo forgot that a coach is only scored his maiden goal for Cranes, from the way in it to challenge as good as his last result and his it was a much needed breather after they dis- Uganda’s hold results in five, were abysmal. His each of Emma Okwi, Brian Umony missed on the trophy. band of admirers around Europe and Moses Oloya had conspired to more saw it differently and they have put several chances to waste with a sea- been quick to dismiss Abramovich misguided shoot on sight policy. soned as a disgrace to the ethos of football Against Ethiopia, the Cranes Tan- and the foundations on which the .........Rafael looked more lethal but again, were zania. game is built – fair play. guilty of profligacy. Okwi, Umony, Ke- Hypocrites. All hypocrites! For Benitez has Diego Kiiza and Robert Ssentongo nya every buyer, there must a seller missed easy chances which could and the very personalities accusing now boarded have made the score line look more Abramovich of killing the game, palatable. But if this tournament is are the same ones who have made about the future, it begs the ques- huge profits from business deal- the bus. The tion why Ssentongo and Kiiza are ings with him and his likes (Real not being given a chance to start. Madrid, PSG, Manchester City, content of his Both have flirted with stardom United). It is because of Abramov- for years, but have never really ich that Chelsea have become a luggage made the grade. Only one celebrity club. Players like Didier way to find out whether Drogba, Frank Lampard and John could be they belong to the Terry have acquired larger than past, present or life reputations. Jose Mourinho the future. and Di Matteo too. Di Mat- interesting Ethiopia, teo’s sacking was unpleasant, but Rwan- so was Mourinho’s and Carlo when he da Ancelotti’s. Neither stopped and Chelsea from winning finally disem- more silverware. It is down to Abramovich. Rafael Benitez has barks. now boarded the bus. The content of his luggage could be interesting when he finally disembarks. There are several countries with the capacity to snatch the coveted CECAFA Tusker Challenge Cup trophy from Williamson’s hands The Cranes can only get better judging from their CECAFA performance he ongoing Cecafa handle crosses, good at command- central defender. He is good in the only needs to improve on his crosses tournament in Kampala ing his defence and not to mention air, a very good tight man-marker, and his final touch. has given me a chance his agility. With him in goal I don’t very good speed, a very good tackler Centre-forward Kiiza is also a to watch the current think Williamson should have any and also good at game reading. He good option up front. He has an eye Cranes squad summoned worries in that department. only needs to learn how to time his for goal, good speed, good work rate by Bobby Williamson. Geoffrey At right-back, Guma has done tackles especially outside the box to and he is good at putting defenders TI have been impressed so far after a good job in replacing Simeon avoid silly fouls. on pressure. He needs to improve watching two of the Uganda Cranes Masaba who usually fills that Ochaya on the outside left of his first touch, learn how to be pa- games. This squad includes some Bukohore position. He is good at making reminds me of David Obua. He tient in front of goal and also work unfamiliar faces from the usual timely tackles, covering the central has good height, a good first touch, on his final pass. Cranes starting line-up. defenders, has good positioning and good speed, a good one-on-one Apart from that, all players get The unfamiliar faces include such an early footballing career. good marking. His only weakness I dribbler and a good crosser of the better with time and experience and goalkeeper (Hamza Muwonge), Starting with goalkeeper can think of is the supporting play. ball. He only needs to improve on I think these lads are on the right right-back (Dennis Guma), central Muwonge, I think he had a good He needs to get involved in getting his final touch, tracking back and track to be future Uganda Cranes defender (Isaac Isinde), outside game especially being called up forward as a right back because helping out his left-back. starters. I wouldn’t be surprised if midfielders ( Joseph Ochaya and to replace first choice goalkeeper that gives the team enough pressure Majwega on the other hand is a we are the champions at the end of Brian Majwega) and centre-forward Abel Dhaira. He didn’t disappoint up front. In central defence, I was good replacement on the left side. the tournament. God luck Uganda (Hamis Kiiza). These are the players and pulled off a number of saves impressed by Isinde who has quali- He has very good speed, he is for- Cranes. I have singled out because I am very that kept the Cranes alive. He is ties of a central defender. He has a ward minded, good at tracking back Geoffrey Bukohore is a former impressed by their performances at very good at game reading, he can good physique as required for any and a good one-on-one dribbler. He Uganda international defender.