Micho watches from the touchline as Cranes striker Erisa Ssekisambu tries to penetrate the Zimbabwe defence. Photo by A. Babirye
After just three goals scored in as many Chan 2016 matches here, and four conceded; Uganda can count yet another unremarkable outing at the domestic players’ tournament.
So for the three editions, the Cranes have scored only seven goals against a massive 13.
Hardly a coincidence, the failure; which Uganda coach – who led the team at Chan 2014 South Africa – admitted to following a 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe on Wednesday that ended the Cranes dream. “We had three targets,” said Micho at a post-match press conference, “Target number one we wanted to qualify to the quarterfinals.
Unfortunately, we have failed in that. “Second, we had to give exposure to our young team of U23s, 70 percent of them are here. They are our future, and they have done very well.” Perhaps just well!
“However, we have brought some experienced players that were supposed to be leading us in scoring, creating and providing leadership. This is the area where we have a bit lacked.”
While experienced Robert Ssentongo disappointed, Geoffrey Sserunkuma, scorer and late substitute against Zimbabwe, will wonder why he never got enough playing time.
Responding to probing as to whether he is the right man for the job, Serbian Micho attributed this latest failure to a weak league back home.
“I have done my best to stretch over the limits,” said a rather riled Micho, “In any way I have come here, this is a development competition and whatever I wanted to achieve we have not achieved because of one goal against Zambia.
“This is the quality that we have. They have stretched over their limits. I cannot blame anyone, everyone has done their best. I believe I have been more up to the task, together with the players.”
Micho added: “Because if you want, this competition is very much a reflection of the inter-club competitions. “This is why you are seeing the teams that have progressed, except Rwanda the home team; they are having huge representatives in the group stages of the inter-club competitions of Africa.
DRC’s TP Mazembe are Africa’s best club for the last five years, while Mali, Tunisia, Guinea, Zambia, Ivory Coast and Cameroon clubs are perennial campaigners on the continent.
“If we are qualifying to the group stages on the African continent, even here demands will be the same, but here we are trying to jump over the hurdle that is at present, unfortunately, higher.”
While Micho has a valid point, he will carry his own cross for often using far too many defensive-minded players.
UGANDA’S RESULTS
Uganda 2-2 Mali
Uganda 0-1 Zambia
Uganda 1-1 Zimbabwe
•Three goals scored
•Four conceded
Quarterfinals (Tomorrow)
Rwanda vs. DR Congo, Amahoro Stadium, Kigali, 4pm
Cameroon vs. Ivory Coast, Stade Huye, Butare, 7pm
Sunday, January 31
Tunisia vs. Mali, Stade Régional Nyamirambo, Kigali, 4pm
Zambia vs. Guinea, Umuganda Stadium, Gisenyi, 7pm
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