The 47-year-old Serb helped the Uganda Cranes end their 38-year wait to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and has been praised for transforming Ugandan football.

He is currently on a mission to help Uganda make their first appearance at the 2018 Fifa World Cup which will be held in Russia and got a crucial point when  his side drew against Ghana in a 2018 World Cup qualifier in Tamale.

According to super sport ,Micho who has   won 14 league titles in five different big clubs on the African continent has a dream of managing the Black Stars in the future.

“Like any other coach here in Africa, I hope I will be good enough one day to be the coach for Ghana’s Black Stars,” Sredojevic told Otec FM. “However, before that time arrives, I will continue to do my best for Uganda until my contract runs out.”

“If the chance to join Ghana comes one day, why not? If it does not, I will be the respectful opponent’s coach, who always try to get the maximum points against Ghana,” he added.

The former Rwanda coach Micho arrived in Uganda in May 2013 taking over the reins from the sacked Bobby Williamson and is a highly experienced figure in African football.

Meanwhile Ghana coach coach Avram Grant is under mounting pressure after his side dropped valuable points at home against Uganda putting their chances of qualification to the World Cup in jeopardy.

The former West Ham United and Portsmouth boss could be replaced if he fails to help his team qualify for the World Cup.

Micho’s Career stats:

Between 1987 and 1994 he played for five clubs (Svoboda Ljubjana, Sindelic Belgrade, Graficar Belgrade, FK Zorka Subotica and FK Pionir Subotica).

Teams Managed:

From 1994 to 2016 Micho managed 12 teams in Europe, but 15 of those years were spent coaching teams in Africa.

Micho has managed FK Palik, FK Spartak Subotica, Yugoslavia U20, FK Hajduk Kula, Villa SC, St. George, Orlando Pirates, Yanga, Al Hilal Omdurman, Rwanda and Uganda.

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Uganda cranes drew 0-0 with the Black stars in the game which was played at Tamale Stadium on the 7^th October 2016.

This was the first game of group E but the visitors absorbed a high tense second-half pressure from their West African opponents to earn a vital point on the road.

Avram Grant’s side enjoyed the majority of possession and the clearest chances in Tamale but could not find a way to beat Uganda’s Denis Onyango in goal. Jordan Ayew proved a constant menace in attack but the Aston Villa man’s end product was lacking. Acheampong was also kept at bay by Cranes’ Khalid Aucho keeping the visitors in the game.

Micho’s side had a couple of chances at goal but Ghana keeper Razak Brimah proved too strong to beat.

Uganda Cranes team that defeated Comoros Islands in Kampala on 4th September 2016 to book a place in the African Nations Cup finals

This game showed the progress the nation has made since acquisition of Serbian tactician Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic.

Micho arrived in Uganda in May 2013  taking over the reins from the sacked Bobby Williamson.

On his arrival, he stated his goals as being development of youth systems, Moving Uganda in the FIFA World ranking and give players a chance to play in European leagues.

“One of my aims is to develop the youth systems, and I want us to move from 97th in the rankings up to 70, and stay there to give our players a chance to play in top European leagues.” Stated  Micho.

The goals have to some extent being achieved like the transformation of the football culture in Uganda, the national team has remained amongst the top 70 in the Fifa World rankings, while qualifying for Gabon and players have got a chance to move to European league.

Uganda  ended a 38-year wait for a place in the African Nations Cup finals by securing a 1-0 win over the Comoros Islands in Kampala on 4th September 2016.

Uganda is the best ranked country in the East African region with neighbours Kenya dropping in the latest Fifa world rankings released on 15^th September 2016.

All this shows that Uganda is moving in the right direction and can keep dreaming of great things to come.

The progress could be attributed to different factors but Onyango who is considered by many as one of Africa’s most experienced goalkeeper is a pillar to the progress the Uganda cranes have had.

Dennis Onyango is one of the most experienced goalkeepers in Africa

Onyango has got good organizational skills; leadership and individual brilliance at the back which helps him organize his defence.

In games away from home, keeping a clean sheet is crucial and Uganda has somehow mastered the art of doing so. This dwells well with the recent record on the road.

The cranes have won three, lost one and drawn another in their last five competitive away matches.
This was highlighted by Milutin Sredojevic making it clear that the run of good results by Uganda is not an accident but the work of the team.

Bold truth 5 last competitive Cranes matches away:Comoros 0-1,Togo 0-1,Burkina Faso 1-0 (penalty)Botswana 1-2,Ghana 0-0 It can’t be accident

— Michocoach (@michocoach) October 7, 2016

PAST COMPETITIVE AWAY MATCHES FOR CRANES

Sept, 5 2015: Comoros 0-1 Uganda

Nov, 12 2015: Togo 0-1 Uganda

Mar 26, 2016: Burkina Faso 1-0 Uganda

Jun 4, 2016: Botswana 1-2 Uganda

Oct 7, 2016: Ghana 0-0 Uganda

This is no mean feat on the African continent where home advantage is crucial if one is to have a chance of qualification for different competitions.

The point Uganda got away from Ghana is just the beginning of the tough task ahead.

Home advantage does not guarantee points as witnessed by Egypt’s coming from behind to defeat Congo 2-1 in Brazzaville to take Group E leadership but plays a crucial part.

Micho labels Ghana and Egypt favourites

According to the monitor, Ghana’s failure to earn three points against Uganda has not hindered Micho from naming them as favourites alongside Egypt in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

“Egypt with Ghana are still carrying tag of favourites due to the fact that Egypt won away,” admitted Micho

Egypt lead Group E with three points after they defeated Congo 2-1 in Brazzaville while Ghana are level with Uganda on one point each.

The Serb also stated that the game against Ghana was a measure of character and not numbers at the World cup qualifiers table standings.

“That is what I was looking from the match against Ghana, character, not numbers at the World cup qualifiers table standings.”

Micho added: “Once we improve standards we shall then automatically become contenders to go to World Cup.
“We got a point away in Ghana but we have no right to exaggerate things but realistically look to not be favourites on paper and contenders on the field of play with performance earning practical not declarative tag of favourites.
“We need to approach the next five matches like five cup finals looking in each to fight like lions in human shape for three points and see what will come out as final product.”

Uganda’s next game will be against Congo while Ghana will take on Egypt in November, 2016.

If Uganda Cranes get maximum points  against Congo in Kampala,it will enhance the notion that football  progression  is on the rise.

The post Why Uganda’s draw with Ghana in the 2018 world cup qualifiers shows progress first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

This comes after Uganda ended a 38-year wait by qualifying to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon as one of two best placed runners-up.

Uganda cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic is a proud man at the moment having led Uganda to its first Afcon finals appearance in 39 years but also move the nation from 97th in the rankings up to 65^th.

This is in line with the goals set up by the Serb on his arrival in Uganda in May 2013 to take over the reins from the sacked Bobby Williamson.

“One of my aims is to develop the youth systems, and I want us to move from 97th in the rankings up to 70, and stay there to give our players a chance to play in top European leagues.”

Uganda will better their world ranking if they perform well in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualifiers group in which they were drawn with Egypt, Ghana and Congo Brazzaville.

Mean while,Kenya have dropped 3 places to 91st,Ethiopia follows closely at 125th moving four places up, Burundi are 129 while Tanzania are ranked 132.

Cote D’Ivoire is the best ranked country in Africa at 34th followed by Algeria (35th), Senegal (39th), Ghana (43rd) and Cameroon at 59th globally.

The post Fifa World Rankings: Uganda tops East Africa,Kenya drop and Cote D’Ivoire best in Africa first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

By Antonio Kisembo

At first glance, the Federation of Uganda Football Association’s(FUFA) decision to sack national team coach Robert ‘Bobby’ Williamson on March 8,2013 appeared to be smart. Little wonder therefore that it won gushing support from many soccer fans.

In their statement, FUFA said the federation’s emergency committee had taken the decision in compliance with the terms of Williamson’s employment contract and other relevant labour laws of Uganda.

This termination brought to an abrupt end four years and eight months of the Scottish coach on the job. During this period, Williamson won the regional Cecafa Senior Challenge four times but failed to take the national team, Uganda Cranes, to the Africa Cup of Nations. FUFA found this record unsatisfactory.
It would appear the Scott’s fate was sealed after the Uganda Cranes lost 2 – 0 to Liberia on March 24, 2013 in the World Cup qualifier game played in Monrovia. This left Uganda pegged at the bottom of group J, with two points from three games.

While I don’t dispute the move, I believe FUFA did not act when they were supposed to. Uganda failing to qualify for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2012 was just enough to end the contract. Yes, someone might mention the expenses FUFA could have incurred from such a contract breach. However, FUFA’s technical committee should have anticipated such a scenario in drawing the contract.

On Saturday, October 8, 2012, FUFA did not need much convincing to sack the national football team coach by then Booby Williamson. They would have been in effect responding to a public outcry ,

FUFA hurriedly appointed  the 43-year-old Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic to  fill the position that was vacant since  April 2013 and signed a two-year contract with the Cranes. However Micho, had been sacked by Rwanda a month before.

Micho’s  appointment since then  has not  changed anything. Ugandan continues to suffer at the hands of so many teams including a home defeat in 10years and a subsequent failure to qualify for African cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinue 2015.

Replacing a national team coach is not enough to deliver success for The Cranes; here are other pertinent issues of administration that should be addressed.
FUFA needs to embark on a football development path that ultimately puts local technicians in charge of the game.

There is need for grassroots structures, like youth development schemes, revamping of women’s football and bringing government on board to support football, especially financially. Support and promote the National football league by attracting sponsor and organize refresher courses for local coaches.

If these issues are not tackled, firing a coach or hiring a new one might not make a difference. We must also consider how effective such a coach would be in developing football given the environment.
Consider the last AFCON finals in January 2013, where Nigeria emerged champions. Steven Keshi, the coach who led the Eagles to success, is Nigerian. In addition, Ethiopia in the same year was  ranked 107 in the FIFA rankings and Uganda 92nd, but this didn’t stop their local coach Sewnet Bishaw from leading the team to the finals, something Uganda has not managed since 1978.
Indeed many countries, Uganda inclusive, didn’t make it to the AFCON finals in South Africa, despite having foreign coaches.
Imagine the same employment terms given to Mr. Williamson and now Micho  were given to a local coach, what would the results be? Just like a foreign coach, a local coach should be offered a big salary, housing allowance and transport. With that we can expect results.

The future of Ugandan football lies in investing in football management and development right from the grassroots level.
There is nothing wrong in seeking coaching expertise abroad but our strategy should always be to develop our own tacticians.
The FUFA administration must think long term. If the decision makers are persons seeking popularity or money, then football development will suffer.

Here is a collection of foreign Uganda Cranes Coaches since 1965

Uganda Cranes foreign coaches on PhotoPeach

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The Cranes over the years Kampala today

The post Are foreign coaches the solution to Uganda’s football? first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Uganda Cranes players

Cranes Coach Bobby Williamson has already selected the 21 players he expects to beat Guinea Bissau on Saturday and the big promotion for the match will ensure Uganda Cranes get full local support as Ugandans are expecting to pour into Mandela national stadium Namboole in multitudes.

Bobby Williamson’s starting line-up. The story is less likely to change when the Scot names his starting 11 for the return leg of the 2012 Nations Cup qualifier against Guinea Bissau at Namboole on Saturday.
Yet Geoffrey Massa remains an unpopular figure amongst some fans and critics, who accuse him of wastefulness in front of goal.

FUFA Spokesperson Rogers Mulindwa says after the trainings, all cranes palyers are in good form and ready for the match, save for goalkeeper Dennis Onyango, who struggled with an ankle injury although doctors have said he should be able to play on Saturday.

The other concern might be the absence of Cranes Captain Ibrahim Sekajja in the Saturday line up as the skipper will be serving his match ban in the tournament. But Williamson has Isaac Isinde (St. George, Ethiopia), Hassan Wasswa (Atlay, Turkey) and Henry Kalungi (Richmond, US) to replace the instrumental Sekajja.

Uganda must win the match to keep up their hopes of leading the group and ensuring their qualification to the 2012 CAF finals where they last featured in 1978.

Uganda Cranes current lead the group with 7 points, three ahead of Angola and Kenya who also play on Saturday, and four ahead of Guinea Bissau whom the Cranes beat 1-0 at home. Surely the return led in Uganda should be a better day for the Ugandans who rarely loose on home soil.

Ultimate Media

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