CHAN destiny in Cranes’ hands

The Uganda Cranes’ blood and iron application in the 3-0 and 2-0 wins over Guinea and Niger, respectively, in the African Nations Championship (Chan) has quickly made the bad start, the 0-3 defeat they suffered against Algeria, an issue of the past now.

Cranes, who have shown the much-needed grit that they lacked at the start, have been rewarded with a spot atop group ‘C’. Until their major competitors for the two quarter-final slots, South Africa and Algeria play on Friday, August 15, the Cranes can breathe a sigh of relief that they have not let the nation down in their own backyard.

With six points from three games, the Cranes can feel confident. But as coach Morley Byekwaso appeared to quickly move on during his post-match press conference on Monday, August 11, not wanting to duel so much on the excitement of beating Niger, and instead, choosing to focus on the job ahead, it is clear that Cranes’ destiny is in their hands.

They just have to beat South Africa at Namboole stadium on Monday, August 18, and qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time in their Chan history. However, that will require a lot more than The Cranes have been able to do in their priceless wins against Niger and Guinea.

Firstly, the Cranes are going to be without midfielder, Joel Sserunjogi, who has been a mainstay in the team, something he capped up with a finely taken second goal against Niger, his first at international level. The fact that Sserunjogi scored a goal actually emphasizes how good he has been thus far in the Chan.

In fact, it was in a similar position that he scored from, that he set up Reagan Mpande for Uganda’s opener against Guinea. Essentially, Sserunjogi has an assist and a goal in three games, a vindication for the many that always vouched for him to be in The Cranes line-up.

Sserunjogi is as good a ball passer, as he is a ball winner, and in the view of many, has arguably been Uganda’s best player in the tournament. Unfortunately, because of his zeal to win back possession and break up play, he picked up a second yellow card, which means that he will be suspended for the game against South Africa.

It is the kind of situation that would make many, a football person, grimace in pain. Sserunjogi will be a big miss for Uganda simply because of how well he has been playing.

That raises the question: Who replaces him? Former SC Villa and Wakiso Giants coach, Douglas Bamweyana, however, is not one to cry over spilled milk.

“I know how important Sserunjogi is to The Cranes. But looking at the team effort in The Cranes ranks, it is an attitude that can plug the Sserunjogi hole, making his absence unfelt. Seeing the way Byekwaso and Fred Muhumuza have been setting up the team, it has not been about individual players, but the unit. So, without being specific, the others like Enock Ssebaggala and Karim Watambala have done a good job in supplementing Sserunjogi,” Bamweyana said.

Notably, while the trio has been working in tandem going box-to-box, Ssebaggala was substituted against Niger, after he picked up a groin injury. Other than a miracle, normally, such an injury takes at least two weeks to heal.

So, Byekwaso and Muhumuza have to contend with another big problem regarding Ssebaggala’s fitness. One problem was already big enough, but two is bound to disorganize Cranes game plan, which has worked so well in recent games.

Worse still, the other midfielder, Marvin Youngman, who has international experience, has been carrying an injury too, and has not made the match-day squad in recent. That only emphasizes how limited in midfield the team is.

Yet, the midfield is one area in which South Africa have tended to thrive. They keep the ball quite well, and without a holder in Uganda’s midfield, someone to calm events, scour whatever is ahead of him before he releases the ball, Cranes are likely to keep up with the Bafana Bafana in the break or make clash.

More worryingly, when Ngonde was introduced in place of Ssebaggala in the Niger game, he struggled to keep the ball, and registered many incomplete passes. For the four years that Ngonde has played in the Uganda Premier League, he has not acquitted himself well as a typical holding midfielder.

He appears to thrive more as an attacking midfielder, instead. So, Byekwaso and Muhumuza have a decision to make, to ensure that The Cranes remain in Chan beyond next Monday.

FIXTURES

Monday, August 18, 2025: