Luck or lack, what failed the Cranes

It is not good news for the country Uganda as it’s men’s football team failed to qualify for the knock out stages of the CHAN tournament that is ongoing in Algeria.

This is the 6th consecutive time the Cranes have failed to make it past the group stages something that has raised eyebrows of many as to whether the team is progressing in terms of performance or still stagnant at a certain point.

Before this tournament kicked off, the Cranes camp had been hit with a blow when the FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo indicated that he was not sure if the team would participate in this tournament due to lack of funds hence the team missing out on the important preparations opting for late panicky engagements far below than what their opponents were doing. The money was later released by government but looked liked it was abit late for the team to do the required preparations.

There has also been question marks on the team selection both on pitch and the entire squad that was selected to represent the country.

Many critics pointed out at a number of players who were left out but were in great form for their clubs back at home. Players like Goal Keeper Benjamin Ochan of KCCA who had kept a number of clean sheets, Brian Majwega the KCCA left back, Sayid Kyeyune (URA), Mustafa Mujuzi (KCCA), Martin Kizza (Express,Vipers) and so many others were left out by Coach Micho opting for more likely young , inexperienced and shoddy players whose displays disappointed many.

On pitch the coach was also criticized for not giving enough playing time to players like Bright Anukani and Trevis Mutyaba who to many would have impacted the outcome of the 3 games that the team played.

The Cranes lacked sharpness going forward and the midfield looked so disconnected failing to initiate any offenses towards the opponents and also failing to give a shock obsorber to the defense. There looked to be alot of leakages in the middle of the park with coach Micho opting to use less natural midfielders as he tried to pack the bus using defenders.

The Cranes only managed to score two goals in 3 games (Moses Waisswa and Milton Kaliisa) but conceding 3. The same results were exact as it happened in the 2014 CHAN tournament in South Africa as the Cranes went to the last game only needing a draw to qualify for the knock out stages only to fall prey to the Morrocans losing 3-1 just as yesterday to Ivory Coast.

It is yet to be known if the Cranes Coach Micho will survive the axe following a very disappointing display. The Cranes are expected to return home on Wednesday morning with nothing to show but buried hopes.