By Kalunji Moses
Despite Uganda cranes victorious win 2-0 against Niger at Grad Stade Marrakech
in Morocco, it wasnt able to qualify for the AFCON 2023 in Ivory coast due to
the goal less draw between Algeria and Tanzania in Annaba.
Uganda Cranes was in the third place with 4 points before it went to play the last
qualification match and hoped that Tanzania which had 7 points would be beaten by Algeria so as to light up their chance to qualify for the Afcon 2024.
This was not to be as Algeria and Tanzania held a goal less draw thus putting Uganda
Cranes in third place with 7 points in 6 matches and Tanzania in second place with 8 points in 6 matches. Due to this situation, many question if this is the right time to give Ugandan football coaches a chance to take over the national team.
Uganda has developed good and tactical coaches that can be trusted to head the
national team like coach Micheal Mutebi who is well known for his Tiki Taka style
of play often identified by over possession of the ball and a high pressing game. He
previously managed KCCA FC where he attained three league titles, two Uganda cups and one CECAFA club cup over the last five years making him the most successful manager in KCCA FC’s history. There are Other coaches like Abudallah Mubiru, Sam Simbwa, Moses Basena and Livingstone Mbabazi whose proven coaching styles make them good candidates for the Job.
However, the national team problems go far beyond the coaching staff .
Uganda cranes doesn’t have a home ground to host its home football matches since St. Mary’s Stadium was denied a chance to organise any match under CAF and FIFA because it doesn’t reach FIFA stadium standards, Mandela stadium ever since the outbreak of COVID 19 has been under renovation. Uganda Cranes hosted its two home matches in other countries. The Algeria match in Cameroon and
Tanzania match in Egypt. This also led to a low fan base as very few individuals
could afford to travel to go and support the national team