By Robert Kayindi James
Old memories of bitter rivalry will be triggered today at 4:00pm as Uganda Cranes entertain the Harambe Stars of Kenya at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole in an international friendly match.
The Kenyan 30-man contingent arrived yesterday morning at Entebbe international airport. The contingent includes eight foreign based players led by team captain Victor Wanyama who features for the English Premier League side, Tottenham Hotspurs and IF Djugardens striker Michael Olunga.
Despite all their previous meetings in the CECAF regional tournament over the years, the Cranes will have their memories of October 2011 jogged when the Harambe Stars denied them the opportunity to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of nations after the two sides played to a goalless draw at Namboole.
Uganda’s duo who feature for Baroka FC in the ABSA Premiership in South Africa in the names of Geoffrey Massa (Cranes’ skipper) and midfielder Khalid Aucho have already arrived in the country and are part of the training squad.
The duel between the two rivaling neighbours is meant to prepare the Cranes to face off with Comoros on September 4th at Namboole in their last Group D clash in the road to Gabon. Only a victory can guarantee Uganda a slot in the finals of the continental competition.
Micho’s side had a training session yesterday at the IUIU girls’ campus in Kabojja. The session was attended by FUFA president, Eng. Moses Magogo, Lawrence Mulindwa, FUFA CEO Edgar Watson among others.