James Bakama
24 June 2008
Kampala — IN football, a tight defence that can also initiate attacks is the best asset a team can have.
Captain Ibrahim Sekagya has hailed his defence for a flawless performance in their 0-0 draw against Angola, and said their performance on Monday could have shut out even the best attack in the world.
"Our target was to seal out any penetrative balls from Angola, and I can say that we successfully and professionally did that. Even the best striker in the world would have got frustrated with such a defence," Sekagya said. Sekagya plays professional football in Austria with giants Red Bulls Salzburg .
Sekagya and Timothy Batabaire manned the centre, Andy Mwesigwa, Nestroy Kizito blocked the wings, and goalkeeper Dennis Onyango dealt decisively with any trouble.
"Can you imagine?We limited them to square passes," Sekagya recounted. Sekagya, in one counter-attack hit the side netting in what was Cranes' best chance. David Obua missed the other, a volley that whistled past the post in the second half.
Sekagya's partner on the field, Batabaire, was also pleased with the team's performance.
"There was this general feeling in the team that much as we were battling a World Cup team, its players were no different from us," he said, adding: "So, we looked them straight in the eye even when they loaded the most lethal of attacks."
It was the kind of confidence and game reading that left striker Flavio at sea. The frustrated Al Ahly striker resorted to rough play.
Coach Laszlo Czaba was also pleased, saying that the secret behind his game plan lay in division of labour. "Each of the three departments had someone in charge. Sekagya was at the back, Obua in midfield while Sepuya was upfront,"Csaba explained.
Abubaker Tabula, who was unrivalled on the left in Uganda's 3-1win over Angola at Namboole, this time had some lapses that twice almost cost his side dearly. Tabula's form was in sharp contrast to fellow midfielder Mike Serumaga, whose ball possession and passing were superb until he was injured.
The team was however always able to recover and make up for the errors of their colleagues.
Despite a few spills, goalkeeper Onyanyo kept a rare clean sheet.
"We kept on not only correcting his mistakes (Onyango), but also assured him that even the best goalkeepers have bad spells. Good enough he not only listened, but also learnt," assistant coach Sam Timbe stated.
After their gallant performance away from home, coach Csaba allowed the players a late night out at Park Hotel to celebrate the result.
According to team leader Rogers Mulindwa, the team leaves Luanda at 1pm today, heads to Addis Ababa where they will spend a night before connecting to Kampala. The team should be at Entebbe at 1pm tomorrow.
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