Cranes forwards Farouk Miya, Kizito Luwagga, Geoffrey Massa and Emma Okwi pondering what next. Photo by Eddie Chicco.
In Summary
Soccer. Uganda, with players more spirited for the international stage than qualified, a government more hinged on earning political capital from sport than invest in it, and a football federation symptomatic of a futile system, have often fallen short. And rightly so.
KAMPALA. After two matches it was all flawless. Six points and three goals in the bag – and none conceded.
The Uganda Cranes then arrived in Burkina Faso soaring. All they had to do was avoid defeat and then complete the task in Kampala.
Actually, they could have lost in Burkina Faso – which they did – and still taken care of business at Namboole – which they didn’t – to take full charge of the group; and of their destiny in the quest to end a 39-year absence from the Nations Cup.
They lost to a Jonathan Pitroipa hour-mark penalty, rendering the reverse fixture in Kampala a must win, nay “Cup final” as Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic called it.
There is a reason a team of Burkina Faso’s stature – not exceptional but with players well-travelled football-wise, and experienced – will set out to play for a result and get exactly the desired result.
You can bet four points off Uganda, a side they will have looked at as a serious threat, was Burkina Faso’s target.
Uganda, with players more spirited for the international stage than qualified, a government more hinged on earning political capital from sport than invest in it, and a football federation symptomatic of a futile system, have often fallen short. And rightly so.
As a result of the dreary goalless draw at Namboole on Tuesday, which – despite being on the same seven points with table toppers Burkina Faso – left matters in the Stallions hands. What should have been a ‘decider’ at Namboole has now shifted to Botswana.
If Uganda’s targets are not met at home, it’s unlikely they will be achieved away. The Cranes must now beat Botswana away on June 4, a past-time they hardly enjoy on the road, and see off Comoros on September 3. That’s not enough.
Not all is lost
They will have to add a prayer for Burkina Faso to falter in their remaining two matches. But not all is lost. Or is it?
“It’s not the end of the road,” assured Micho at the post-match press conference, “We are very much still into this campaign with two games to play.
“We are committed to the cause; the boys showed a lot of character when you look at what we went through, how we travelled to Ouagadougou and back, the death of Abel Dhaira also affected us in a away.
“But Botswana,” added Micho, “Is a decent side. It’s going to be a tough match but we don’t have a choice but to go and play for a result.”
Burkina Faso coach Paulo Duarte was happy with the draw. “Uganda is good physically but we were good technically,” he said. Cranes will need both aspects in the next two matches.
Group standings
Team P W D L GF GA Pts
Burkina 4 2 1 1 3 1 7
Uganda 4 2 1 1 3 1 7
Botswana 4 2 0 2 3 4 6
Comoros 4 1 0 3 2 5 3
Next qualifiers in Group D
June 4
Comoros vs Burkina Faso
Botswana vs Uganda
September 3
Uganda vs Comoros
Burkina Faso vs Botswana
amwanguhya@ug.nationmedia.com
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