James Bakama and Swalley Kenyi
5 October 2008
Kampala — ANGOLA coach Oliveria Goncalves resigned on Saturday heightening Uganda's prayer that Niger plays a weakened Palancas Negras this weekend.
A good result for Niger in Luanda will be a big boost for Uganda who are in the same vein hoping to whip Benin on Sunday.
Favourable results in Kampala and Luanda will boost the Cranes to the 2010 World/ Nations qualification stage.
Goncalves has been under increased fire from Angola's soccer body to resign. But the fact that he called it quits a week to the decisive Group 3 matches suggests a crisis on Angola's bench. Goncalves deputy Maby de Almeida will act as a temporary replacement.
"I presented my resignation on September 22 and the president (of the Angolan football Association FAF) accepted it, Goncalves was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.
On why he was throwing in the towel, Goncalves explained "I saw that some things were not okay anymore."
Goncalves was until recently regarded as a hero in Angola for taking Palancas Negras to their first World Cup finals in 2006. The feat earned him a contract renewal.
But his fortunes changed with defeats by Benin and Uganda. The Cranes further rubbed salt in his woes by holding Angola in Luanda.
Uganda's foreign based players start ed arriving yesterday - Mike Serumaga leading the way - for their last first round assignment. South Africa-based Geoffrey Serunkuuma, Posnet Omony and Timothy Batabaire jet in today. Geoffrey Massa, Ibrahim Sekagya and Abubakar Tabula arrive tomorrow.
Eugene Ssepuuya, Nestroy Kizito and coach Bobby Williamson, who left for Scotland Saturday to attend his father's funeral, will be in Kampala on Wednesday.
Jackson Mayanja has, meanwhile, bounced back as Cranes assistant tactician two days after Sam Ssimbwa was appointed.
Despite their earlier partnership that failed before both coaches were dropped in August, the two conducted their first training session together at Namboole yesterday.
Ssimbwa is the first assistant while Mayanja was drafted as the second assistant to Williamson.
FUFA official Edgar Watson said Mayanja was recalled on request of Williamson, who wanted two assistants as the Cranes prepare for a do-or-die game on Sunday.
"Both will take their instructions from Williamson," Watson said.
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