Fred Kaweesi
10 April 2008
Kampala — THE time has come for Cranes' amateur side to punch their weight. They do, after all come from a country with a special relish for team sport.
And anyone who has closely followed their sense of determination in the build-up to today's game can be left in no doubt that Cranes have sufficient fire power to dispatch Eritrea in the second leg of their Africa Championship qualifier today.
Down the years, Cranes' Nations Cup run outs might have supplied little proof that the team is good enough to challenge the best in Africa. The enduring love affair with the prestigious tournament has been a roller-coaster of pure agony since 1978, with the intervening years authoring near-misses and abject failures.
But what is beyond question going into the Nakivubo engagement is Csaba's success in convincing his players that it will all come right in the amateur championship. He has made them believe they are good enough to revive their ambitions and that unshakeable conviction will be the rock upon which Cranes tackle Eritrea.
But Cranes will defeat Eritrea and secure a date with either Kenya or Tanzania in the next stage - if only they can stop the visitors scoring, compress the game, and keep the tempo as high as possible.
Csaba has got the necessary ammunition that can hurt the visitors, pundits' rate as very ordinary defensively, but the German will also have to solve the problems at the back that proved Uganda's undoing in Asmara. In fact, while Cranes' players must perform at the very peak of their powers, the coaching staff must be spot-on with major selection decisions.
Csaba's plan highlights the menace of Eritrea's passing game and will ideally allow no room for the visitors to dictate the tempo of the match.
"We will need maturity in all areas on the pitch and make the most of every chance we create," Csaba stated yesterday.
Cranes, who managed a 2-2 draw with Eritrea in Asmara, need a draw of less than two goals or win of any margin to progress.
"We will go for a win and nothing less. It's always wrong to play for stalemates," the German added.
Owen Kasule, a pivotal figure in Cranes' midfield, should blossom alongside Steven Bengo, an elegant playmaker, dangerous while operating just behind the attacking line.
If Simeon Masaba and Lawrence Segawa can break up the visitor's passing game-which they can do then Ronald Muganga and Dan Wagaluka will undoubtedly have the skill to take the creative initiative.
Too often in recent games, Eritrea's casual movement after losing possession has let them down and such negligence will be exposed and punished.
Eritrea's other weakness is pace and with Caesar Okhuti leading the attacking lines; Cranes could sneak an early surprise. Csaba will also have impressed on his men the need to test the visitor's endurance levels. Whatever the circumstances, Cranes' will be more smiles than frowns.
Today, 4pm
Championship qualifier
Uganda v Eritrea
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