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Africa: Country Loss Holds Up Uganda Cranes
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New Vision (Kampala)
9 September 2007
Posted to the web 10 September 2007
Kampala
NIGER head coach Hamey Amadu on Saturday labeled Cranes winger David Obua a "genius" after watching his side collapse under the masterful performance of the lanky midfielder.
Amadu had watched in excitement as his side imposed themselves with intensity before Anket Pascal's equalizer at the stroke of half time.
Yet despite being out-fought by a vibrant Niger side, Cranes regrouped and re-emerged a more potent unit to complete a 3-1 routing in the second half.
"For me he (Obua) was unstoppable. He changed the game. He had too much for us especially in one on one situations. But the entire team was also good after the break. Cranes have a good coach," said Amadu.
CRANES v NIGER: Player ratings
Denis Onyango 6
Onyango virtually had nothing to thwart and the only time he was tested, he could not block Anket Pascal's header.
Simeon Masaba 7
He started formidably with inventive play, and superb tackling. Always battling, but was too quick resorting to the long pass.
Nestroy Kizito 6
Capable enough without calamity moments but lacked his usual fluidity going forward in support of attacking left-wing midfielder Obua.
Timothy Batabaire 7
He was elegant and composed, a dodgy header apart, Niger's Seidou Edrissa though occasionally teased him, he held his lines admirably.
Andy Mwesigwa 6
Mwesigwa was solid enough, yet although Cranes never looked troubled at the back, he was as expected strong but to blame for losing his marker for the goal
Ibrahim Sekagya 7
The Cranes skipper was more disciplined in holding his position but was frustrated at not being able to drive forward as much as he would have liked.
Dan Wagaluka 6
The pocket-sized winger got in great positions and was as strong as an ox, but could not deliver that precious final ball into the 18-yard area.
Noah Kasule 6
He was an uncharacteristically shaky performance as a result of being played out of position. His link-up play with Sekagya was ponderous.
G. Massa 6
Occasionally looked a handful with some neat touches, but too many falls marred his game, as he struggled with the referee's style. Had little of the ball.
Sserunkuuma 6
Sharp turn in the box earned Cranes that early penalty. He tested Niger custodian Dacuda Kassaly with low shots but lacked service at times.
David Obua 9
He was Cranes' star-man and revelation despite being short of pace and verve. It was understandable for a man had had no competitive game being his belt.
Nations Cup qualifier
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Uganda 3 Niger 1
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| Copyright © 2007 New Vision. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections -- or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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