Coach Basena says S. Sudan tie must win for Uganda

Uganda Cranes have no option but to win their Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup match against South Sudan to redeem their title defense campaign, head coach Moses Basena has said.

The two sides clash at the Kakamega Bukhungu Stadium at 3:00pm (EAT), Uganda coming from a 0-0 draw against Burundi while South Sudan suffered a 3-0 thumping by Les Rondelles in their respective group openers.

Basena has insisted his charges have to win the match, to chase after group leaders Burundi who emphatically thrashed Ethiopia 4-1 on Thursday to go top with four points.

“Against Burundi we were quite blunt in our finishing, despite dominating the match from the start. We have to address that, and convert the chances we create.

“The only way to be sure of a semi final spot is winning this match convincingly, so that we are not under extreme pressure when we play our last group fixture against Ethiopia,” Basena said.

Despite sitting 52 places above the Bright Stars in the current FIFA rankings (74 against 152), Basena knows how stubborn their opponents can be. In their July first leg 2018 African Football Championship (Chan) qualifiers in Juba, he watched the Felix Bilal coached team hold Uganda to a dull goalless draw.

He however saw through his mean in their 5-1 resounding win in the reverse fixture innKampala, then, operatimg as assistant to Serb Mulitin ‘Micho’ Sredojovic.

Notably, Paul Mucureezi, netted four of the five goals and will line up against Sudan again in the do or die tie for the latter, whose defeat will mean automatic elimination.

“We started on a low note in the 2015 edition, losing to Kenya in Addis Ababa- Ethiopia. That did not stop us from rediscovering our rythym and go on to win the tournament.

” Our goal is to lift the trophy again, hence I cannot emphasize more our approach to the Sudan’s match which could determine our semi final qualification,” averred the tactician, eying the country’s 17th gong in the competition.

His attack lacked the mettle of a champion in the Burundi stalemate, with Timothy Awany’s disallowed goal the only significant attempt to write about.

Uganda could find it rough finishing top of Group B, considering Burundi’s prolificacy so far (four goals) with South Sudan lined up next for them.

Thus, Basena is not just after a win, but a victory of a big margin seeking to finish top and ideally avoid a stronger opponent in the semi finals.

Group A winner will be paired against the Group B runners up and vice versa in the December 14 and 15 last four matches set for Moi Stadium Kisumu.

This is the only match in the seventh day of the oldest competition in the region.

SQUADS

Uganda: Benjamin Ochan (GK), Timothy Awany, Bernard Muwanga, Nicholas Wadada, Isaac Muleme, Saddam Juma, Allan Kyambande, Mutyaba Muzzamir, Milton Kalisa, Derrick Nsibabi, Hood Kaweesa.

Subs: Isama Wetenga, Ikara Tom, Daniel Opoloti, Shafiq Bakaki, Joseph Nsubuga, Aggrey Madoi, Paul Mucureezi, Taddeo Lwanga, Nelson Senkatuka, Tom Masiko, Allan Kateregga.

South Sudan: Juma Jinaro (GK), Wataryo, Cellistino Khamis Yasir, Benasio Zacharias, Lemi Awad  Abdu,  Wani Jimmy Arostu, Dominic Abu Prentino, Peter Bentu Chol, Aketch  Mabior, Luak Wol, Khamis Leon Uso.

Subs: Daniel Dak, Mustafa Aldimin, Magik Deng, Osama Kamal, Oyur Joseph, Joseph Uras, Tiem Koang, Abubakar Adam, Sebit Ajak