By Ian NKera Ford
Ugandan coach Miroslav Sredojevich has proved critics wrong with some heartwarming results but one decision I am still reeling from is the exclusion of Geoffrey Massa from the final squad to face Senegal in a game crunchy World Cup qualifier in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Its not long ago when talisman David Obua was banished from the Cranes camp only for the team to be psychologically weak and eventually failing to break down a determined Kenya side.
Many contradicting reasons have been circulating in the media citing Massa’s indiscipline but I think this is another situation that could have been handled differently. Massa is a very integral part of the team and should haven accorded more respect.
Great managers rely on unity and there is no way a key man in the team set up could be excluded on grounds of indiscipline weeks to a decider game. The move went terribly wrong years back when David Obua’s big match temperament was missed and our hopes of qualifying for Africa’s biggest showpiece were blown out in thin air.
Geoffrey Massa’s romance with the Cranes spans eight years and as much as his consistency has always been questionable, he has always put his heart out there for the national team. A bursting striker whose pace has always been his biggest weapon could have been our password to unlock the big 6ft centre backs of Senegal.
Though not a natural goal scorer, his ability to beat players is something we would have needed this Saturday. And we have seen him ghost past players with blistering pace. He brings something different to the side that complements forwards like Hamis Kiiza and Emma Okwi. We shall miss him greatly but the improved KCCA striker Fred Kalanda should be able to fit in appropriately. Let’s go Cranes!