Kampala — Uganda faces an unenviable task of beating mighty Egypt 3-0 if the Hippos are to advance in the CAF U-20 Championships.

Uganda lost the first leg 2-0 and as has always been the case against West and North African opposition, our officials cried foul claiming that their side had been cheated.

The visitors accused the Tunisian referee of denying them a "clear" goal that would have either narrowed the margin or even led to a better result of a draw.

It is possible that the north African official was indeed biased. But on the other hand, shouldn't the Ugandans have foreseen such a scenario given earlier experiences in the same region?

The earlier held belief that Egyptian sides are invincible at home has in recent years been disproved.

All it takes is proper preparation. If you are playing a cheat, the best way to emerge supreme is thorough domination. In that case, if you know that one of your goals will most likely be disallowed, then score four. Shame is bound to overcome the referee to uphold at least two of the goals.

Ugandan boxers who once complained of unfair white judges were in a similar way advised to knock out their opponents. Not only the boxers took heed, but also Uganda's footballers.

No wonder the Cranes regularly played in the African Cup of Nations finals in the seventies. It is such a spirit and not cries of unfairness that will lift Uganda back to the helm of African football.