Uganda Vs Angola — Sixty-ninth ranked Uganda today start another expectant journey to end a 34-year- old jinx, one that will also see journalists take a few French and Spanish lessons.

The Cranes triumphant campaign, starting with a win against 87th ranked Angola, will see them to the two 2012 Nations Cup host nations, Spanish speaking Equatorial Guinea and French communicators Gabon.

Despite the unconvincing display against Zambia recently, the nation's fans will care less. They are so expectant that a win of any nature will do.

Good news is the adversary isn't a stranger, a factor renewing Ugandans' belief that the bird of honour will once again stand on top of the Black Antelope. The last meeting between Uganda and Angola ended in a 3-1 thrashing of the visitors in Kampala, Andy Mwesigwa, Eugene Ssepuuya and Dan Wagaluka on the mark, and a scoreless draw away. Coach Laszlo Csaba was the architect then.

Missing stars

But coach Bobby Williamson's side now confront the enemy forces without six of the 11 players that started against Angola in 2008. Nestroy Kizito is recuperating from a groin injury while Abubakar Tabula has since retired. Johnson Bagoole, Joseph Kabagambe, Timothy Batabaire and Ssepuuya were ignored. Angola are also without scorer of the consolation Pedro Montorras, Flavio Amado and Ze Kalanga.

That, too, may matter less as Williamson has and believes in his players. But while fans expect a lot, rightly so, the Scot understands where they are coming from but is quick to acknowledge the opponents' capabilities. "They should come and support us," he said, "But they should also know our opponents are not easy pushers. It will be a difficult match but if we play as well as we know we should, we'll win."

Williamson also told Saturday Monitor after yesterday's training that he will not be losing sleep over the game. "Same as everyday. I'll have sound sleep and wake up like any other day."

Bobby's options

David Obua could be drifted in the hole, just behind Geoffrey Massa, Geoffrey Sserunkuma or Brian Umony. Williamson is likely to deploy Mike Sserumaga on the left with Vincent Kayizzi on the right. In-form Robert Odongkara wouldn't be a surprise in goal but it's caution first with experienced Denis Onyango. Godfrey Walusimbi is a sure starter at left back while skipper Ibrahim Sekagya is a constant fixture in the centre.

Experience could also be the factor in going for Mwesigwa alongside Sekagya instead of exciting but inexperienced Joseph Owino. Simeone Masaba's been awful lately but needs chance to disprove cynics. Musa Mudde and Tony Mawejje could be given licence to neutralize dangerman Mingo Bille in the park.

Meanwhile, news from the Angola camp, who trained at Namboole last evening, is they are without Jose Mabina and Fernando Chara through injuries. But coach Renard Herve, who lost his first two matches in charge against Uruguay and Mexico, wants nothing short of a win. "It is comfortable to start with a victory as the goal is to qualify," said the 42-year-old.

Egyptian referees Samir Osman Mahomoud, Abou Elela Ahmed, Degaish Ayman, Shaaban Ramadan Hamdy will officiate the match.

Cranes probable X1: D. Onyango (gk) G. Walusimbi, I. Sekagya, A. Mwesigwa, S. Masaba, M. Mudde, T. Mawejje, M. Sserumaga, V. Kayizzi, D. Obua, G Massa

Line-up against Angola in 2008: Onyango, Mwesigwa, Nestroy, Batabaire, Sekagya, Bagoole, Sserumaga, Kabagambe, Tabula, Obua, Ssepuuya

Angola squad: Wilson, Kaly, Dani, Mingo Bile and Bena (1º de Agosto), Lamá, Job and Yamba Asha (Petro de Luanda), Kikas, Minguito (Interclube), Hugo and Pataca (Kabuscorp), Adawa (Benfica de Luanda), Rasca (Recreativo do Libolo), Vunguidika (Colonia FC of Germany), Gilberto (Lierse of Belgium), Manucho Gonçalves (Bucaspor of Turkey), Kivuvu (CFR 1907), Zuela (Paok FC Mikras of Greece), Geraldo (Coritiba of Brazil) and Djalma Campos (Marítimo of Portugal).

Shooting boots duel

This is one department that sharply divides opinion. In yesterday's morning session, Bobby Williamson tried out a Musa MudDavid Obuade-Tony Mawejje midfield axis, with Mike Sserumaga on the left and Obua in the hole behind Geoffrey Massa. Kayizzi covered the right. Again, there is Brian Umony, Robert Ssentongo and Geoffrey Sserunkuma all eying the privilege to wear the country's shooting boots.

David Obua

Obua's selection will not raise many eyebrows despite his fitness doubts. He has convinced at Hearts as a centre forward and is the country's top scorer for the last two campaigns, netting five times in 2008 and once in 2010. He offers better options, can shoot, and beat opponents.

Geoffrey Massa

He's lucky to have earned Williamson's belief. He scored twice in 2008 and a double in the 2010 qualifiers but ever since goals have been as scarce as pot holes in Johannesburg. Massa may have an imposing presence and can shake off defenders but his wastefulness ranks up there with England's Emile Heskey but he's likely to start.

Geoffrey Sserunkuma

The Bidvest Wits striker didn't score in the last two campaigns but commands enviable national statistics. Our figures indicate he has scored 14 goals in 35 appearances but the striker's count is at 20.

Kampala Nations Cup qualifier

Uganda v Angola, Sept 4

LIVE SS3/Maximo

Tickets:

VIP: 20,000

General: 10,000