[The cranes playing against Egypt at AFCON 2017 in Gabon]
By: Danito Nsubuga
• Cape Verde Vs Uganda
• Kick off time 20:30hrs
• Estadio Nacional da Varzea
• Ali Lemghaifry (center referee)
• Saturday 10th June 2017
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The Total Africa Cup of nations qualifiers are kicking off this weekend beginning Friday 9th June 2017 with 2 fixtures as Libya play hosts to Seychelles at Stade Petro Sport in Cairo Egypt and Sudan hosts Madagascar at Stade El Abyad in Khartoum.
The last time Uganda played against “The Blue Sharks” (Tubaroes Azuis) was on 18th June 2005 during the joint qualifiers of AFCON and the World Cup of 2006 that was to be hosted by Germany.
Uganda won the encounter at Nambole thanks to Geofrey Sserunkuma’s goal to complete a revenge since they were earlier beaten 1-0 at the old Estadio da Varzea in the City of Praia thanks to an Arlido Gomes Semento goal in the 41st minute of the match.
Lucio Antunes’ men have been camping in Lisbon Portugal from where they connected to Praia on Monday 5th June in preparation for the Uganda Cranes visit. The Cranes have also been camping in Senegal where they played a friendly game against a star studded Terranga Lions with whom they played a goalless draw.
Uganda have not won a game of football in the last 6 competitive matches played, having lost 1-0 against Ghana, 1-0 against Egypt, drew 1-1 with Mali, 1-1 with Kenya and 0-0 verses Ethiopia and Senegal respectively.
[Uganda cranes coach Milutin Sredejovic Micho]
Coach Milutin Micho Sredejovic is however adamant his fresh looking (team after the retirement of Geoffrey Massa, the absence of usual starters Tonny Mawejje, Joseph Ochaya, Luwagga Kizito, Geoffrey Baba Kizito and Isaac Isinde) are going for a victory in Praia. He says
” This game is no different from the rest but since it’s the opening game every team wants to collect maximum points, this is a good team that was selected on form and capability and I expect them to to follow my tactics well and we shall emerge victors”
Cape Verde have also not been in fine form having lost their 2 opening fixtures in the World Cup qualifiers, they were beaten by Burkina Faso 2-0 at home and 2-0 by Senegal in Dhakar. Lucio Antunes believes his on form striker Heldon Ramos who plies his trade in the Portuguese Primera division for Rio Ave ( on loan from Sporting Lisbon) , Kevin Oliviera of Swope Park Rangers and Wuilito Fernandes of Orange County SC in the Major league soccer of America will turn up in fine form to hurt the cranes.
Match officials will be led by Center referee Ali Lemghaifry 42, a professional accountant assisted by Abderahmane Warr and Hamedine Diba all
from Mauritania.
Still in group L, neighbors Tanzania are hosting Lesotho at the Dar e salaam National stadium and the game will be handled by officials from Djibouti, Center referee Djamal Aden Abdi will be assisted by compatriots Abdillahi Mahamoud and Farhan Bogoreh. Kick off time is 21:00 hrs EST.
Cranes probable line up
Denis Onyango(c), Nicholas Wadada, Godfrey Walusimbi, Bernard Muwanga, Murushid Jjuko, Khalid Aucho, Hassan Wasswa, Emmanuel Okwi , Miya Farouk, Derrick Nsibambi, Isaac Muleme
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