By Robert Kayindi James
For the last two campaigns in the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), Uganda has failed to make it out of the group stages and for that matter therefore, Cranes tactician Milutin Micho Sredojevic has said that their target will be getting out of the group stages.
During the Cranes’ debut campaign in Sudan 2011, Uganda lost all three games at the tournament but their performance improved at the 2014 challenge in South Africa where they gathered four points; one win and just a draw which were not enough to get them out of the groups.
“Our target, after not making in 2011 in Sudan and 2014 in South Africa, is to get out of the group,” Micho recently revealed to the Daily Monitor.
Without Ivan Ntege and Hassan Wasswa Dazzo, the 47-year-old guides the Cranes today in their opener against Mali having said that it’s a very important game for the lads if they are to keep their chances of making it out of the group stages wide open.
“So for us, the game against Mali is very, very important. It’s the most important now. Mali are very competitive and reached Chan quarterfinals beating hosts South Africa along the way,” Micho further revealed before adding that the Eagles have the historical edge. “So they have a historical edge but for us it’s a new ball game and we are looking forward to get a result to set us on course to getting out of the group.”
Having guided Uganda to their record 14th CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in Ethiopia last year, the Serbian set expectations high for the Cranes fans that will be eagerly waiting for his next big achievement.
Group D fixtures at Umuganda stadium in Rubavu:
Zimbabwe vs. Zambia (SS9, 4pm)
Mali vs. Uganda (SS9, 7pm)
Email Robert: Robert.k.circles@gmail.com
