By James Robert Kayindi
The pursuit for places at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations’ finals will take its final bend of the first round in Group E as the Uganda Cranes take on the Sparrow Hawks of Togo today at the Mandela national stadium in what looks to be a break or make tie for the Togolese.
After an away draw and a comfortable win at home against Ghana and Guinea Bissau respectively, the Uganda Cranes sit top of Group E with 4points as the Black Stars but with a better goal difference. However the story is quite the opposite for the Sparrow Hawks who are seated bottom of the Group E log after two consecutive losses in their two opening fixtures of Group E. Togo lost 2-1 to Guinea on match day one and 3-2 to Ghana at home on match day two.
Failure to win today’s tie or even worse pick a point, the Togolese will have no realistic chance of making it to Morocco come 2015.
The statistics between the two countries lie in the favor of the Sparrow Hawks who have never lost to the Uganda Cranes and therefore that has commanded them respect from the Cranes’ head coach, ‘Micho’ who hailed the individual brilliance amongst many players in their squad especially Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor who plays in the English Premier League.
“We have respect for Togo but that doesn’t mean that we over respect them. They have individual players who play for big European clubs but we have a team. They need this game more than anything else but we shall do everything in our power to get a decent result,” Micho told Kawowo.
Much as the statistics are in favor of Togo, what shouldn’t be ignored is the fact the Cranes have also not lost a single game at home for ten years now (since 2004 when they lost 1-0 to South Africa). For that matter therefore, Uganda’s midfield general Tonny Mawejje called it all history which he thinks won’t matter today when the two sides clash.
HEAD TO HEAD STATISTICS
Uganda have only drawn two and have lost two in the four historical clashes between the two countries.
14/7/1965 – African Games: Togo 1-1 Uganda
21/11/1965 – International friendly: Togo 1-1 Uganda
8/10/2000 – AFCON qualifier: Togo 3-0 Uganda
2/6/2001 – AFCON qualifier:Uganda 0-3 Togo
Geoffrey Masa will be the man to watch at Namboole stadium on Uganda’s side as he is highly expected to lead the Cranes’ attack. The South African based striker leads the scorers’ log with a 4goal tally and will be hoping to increase this tally. Micho and his technical staff will be spoilt for choice on the attacking side of the Cranes following the many on-form strikers at their disposal. Besides Geoffrey Masa, Mzee Dan Sserunkuma (top scorer in the Kenyan Premier League) is available, Yunus Ssentamu from AS Vita is available and KCCA’s Brian Umony (top scorer at the recently concluded CECAFA Kagame cup challenge) not forgetting Emmanuel Okwi who made his return to the national team are all present.
Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor will be the man to watch on the Togolese side even when he thinks that the clash against the Uganda Cranes will be a tough one but he also knows that it’s the closest chance they have to make things right if their qualification campaign is to be successful.
“We have an excellent opportunity to turn things round in our campaign. I don’t know much about Uganda and have never played against them before but am certain they are a strong side,” Adebayor told the media yesterday. “Uganda has not lost here in 10years and a month and come Saturday (today), we will be hoping to break that incredible record.”
Tchanile Tchakala’s side seem more determined to revive their campaign qualification hopes with a win against Uganda.
Cranes probable starting line-up:
Denis Onyango (GK), Denis Iguma (RB), Andrew Mwesigwa (Captain), Savio Kabugo and Godfrey Walusimbi (LB), Tonny Maweje, Khalid Aucho, Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito, Geoffrey Masa, Moses Oloya and William Kizito Luwaga. (In a 4-3-3 system)
Uganda vs Togo at Namboole stadium – 4:00pm
Email Robert: robert.k.circles@gmail.com