Cranes under pressure – The Observer

Can The Cranes still qualify for the quarterfinals after the 0-3 defeat to Algeria in their Chan tournament opening game on Monday night? JOHN VIANNEY NSIMBE examines.

With Shs 1.2 billion staked by President Yoweri Museveni for every win in the Africa Nations Championship (Chan) tournament, there was every reason for The Cranes to throw everything at Algeria during their opening fixture on Monday, August 4.

At least every player was guaranteed Shs 35 million, but the Desert Foxes of Algeria, put paid to The Cranes big payday with a 3-0 humbling, right in front of the home fans at Namboole stadium.

But all is not lost for The Cranes, who still have three games to go, beginning with one on Friday, August 8 against Guinea at Namboole.

However, while the thought of bagging Shs 4.8 billion from the four group matches that Uganda has to play in the Chan tournament that started on August 2 and runs up to August 30 is so good to be true, The Cranes have bigger questions and concerns to mull over; the first being whether they will be able to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Chan for the first time in the tournament’s history.

QUALIFYING FROM GROUP C

Even after what was a humbling defeat to Algeria, The Cranes still have a chance to proceed to the quarter-finals. Pressure from the other two hosting nations, Kenya and Tanzania, who won their opening fixtures, is expected to be felt in The Cranes camp.

That should work to push the players, even though the odds are stuck against The Cranes, who in their six previous appearances, did not qualify from the group. Football commentator, Tom Damulira noted that the game against Algeria was always going to be a tough one for The Cranes.

“Yet, that one is out of the way now. Not to disrespect Guinea and Niger, those are teams that Cranes should be able to match, and probably get something from, to boost their chances of securing a quarter-final berth,” Damulira said.

TECHNICAL AND TACTICAL IMPROVEMENTS

It was daylight difference between Algeria and Uganda from a technical point of view. While the North Africans were pretty comfortable in keeping the ball for longer spells, which laid bare Uganda’s shortcomings, the disparity is unlikely to be the same where Niger and Guinea are concerned.

But that is no guarantee for victory unless the application is right. But before the Chan tournament started, former Cranes coach, Moses Basena said: “In tournaments, as a team, you may not get many chances. Yet, the few that you do, must be used efficiently.”

But it is that lack of efficiency that holds The Cranes back in key moments. For example, The Cranes passing game, when in attack has got to be better, beginning with quick ball movement, and better sense of running on and off the ball by the players.

In the entire game, Cranes only had three shots on target. But one would be hard-pressed to pick out one that really paused a goal threat.

This begged the question of how, with the dead-ball striking abilities of Allan Okello and Patrick Kakande, how come The Cranes did not fashion out major free-kick opportunities around the semi-circle point outside the opponent’s penalty area, yet that can be a source for goals?

WHERE IS CRANES’ STRENGTH?

Unlike in the past, when The Cranes boasted of being a difficult team to break down, the first game against Algeria did not show major glimpses of what the team is good at.

Damulira said: “To have the heart of your defence overrun in the manner The Cranes’ was for Algeria’s third goal, is the worst of the lot. If we cannot be flashy going forward, at least we must be hard to penetrate, which certainly we are not.”

Perhaps this is where the coaches, Morley Byekwaso and Fred Muhumuza ought to emphasize, heading into the next fixtures- how to ensure that the team keeps its shape all the time, especially, when they have no possession.

That is something The Cranes side that qualified for the 2017 and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments had mastered. During that time, they thrived more on the counter-attack largely, and even though they did not score goals in droves, the team was hard to beat.

Due recognition of what the team is good at is prudent going into tournament football, which unlike league football where coaches have more time with players on the training ground, here, it is about effectiveness in the short-term can be realized.

Byekwaso recognized that, as he submitted in his post-match conference. He noted how the team did not play well and could not match Algeria in almost every aspect. Nonetheless, every team builds its style and philosophy based on the tools and attributes it has.

For example, with quick wingers like Patrick Kakande and Jude Ssemugabi, those two can be major outlets for Cranes attacks if it is prepared at the training ground.

Notably, since the full-backs, Gavin Kizito and Gideon Odongo were not bombing forward, that meant they could just stick to defending so that the wing forwards are allowed the freedom to wait and receive balls just by the centre-line for quick breaks.

This seems like the more plausible game approach that would enable Uganda maintain a forward presence and threat, provided the attackers are not overworked with defence duties.

THE LINE-UP

Incidentally, The Cranes showed some flashes in the second half against Algeria, following the changes in line-up that were made. But that appeared to point to the fact that heading into the subsequent ties, the coaches may need to rejig a few things to get the Chan campaign back on track.

While it is significant to note that centre-forward Emmanuel Anyama appears to have the right attributes needed in a Cranes striker: Good first touch, hold up play, physicality and speed, observers believe that he will need to improve his positional sense and composure to strike the ball towards goal.

On the other hand, the million-dollar question is where the captain, Allan Okello can play best. The Vipers attacker struggled in the number 10 role, yet did better coming off the right side.

This enabled The Cranes to get behind the Algerian lines of defence. Having Karim Watambala and Enock Ssebaggala ahead of Joel Sserunjogi looked better, than when Ssebaggala was featuring as a double pivot.

Undoubtedly, Ssebaggala enjoys getting forward a lot more than being close to his defence. In addition, Kakande seems a good subplot as a substitute because of his ability to run at defences, particularly when there are tired bodies.

But also depending on what the coaches want from their full-backs, having both not marauding reduces the attacking threat. Although Odongo defended the left side well, he did not move forward enough as Herbert Achayi would, considering his comfort on the ball.

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