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.

Uganda cranes and Gor Mahia midfielder, Khalid Aucho in action during a match in Kenya Premier League

Ugandan international Khalid Aucho’s move to Scottish side Aberdeen has collapsed after a transfer fee snag between the clubs according to reports.

Aucho had been on trials at Aberdeen for a fortnight where he impressed manager Derek John McInnes.

According to super sport.com, McInnes was reportedly ready to offer the Ugandan a two-year contract but the deal is off now with claims that Gor Mahia was asking far too much for the transfer to take place.

“I feel so sad my dream of joining Aberdeen has been shattered. I did all I could do on the pitch to impress, but I was told my club Gor Mahia has asked for too much which was impossible for the club to pay,” Aucho told supersport.com.

However, contradicting reports from a senior Gor Mahia official denied the club having received any offers.

“Gor Mahia cannot be blamed on the Khalid Aucho fiasco; we saw it coming as some agents wanted to make a killing out of the deal making it flop. Gor Mahia got no offers and it’s not in our policy to refuse players seeking greener pastures,” the official said.

The 22-year-old Ugandan international is one of the star players in Kenyan football with his playing style earning him comparisons to Totenham star Victor Wanyama.

Top South African clubs Blomfontein Celtic, Moroka Swallows and Bidvest Wits have reportedly shown interest in signing the player.

The post Khalid Aucho Aberdeen deal flops first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Cranes skipper Geoffrey Massa opened the scoring early in the game before a brace from Vipers SC star player Faruku Miya secured a memorable display.

Farouk Miya celebrates after scoring against Togo

Massa scored from a 20 yard thunderbolt that left Djehani Gussad with no chance giving the cranes a 1-0 lead with just four minutes played.

The visitors pilled pressure after going down but failed to break the cranes defence commanded by goalkeeper Dennis Onyango.

Both Uganda and Togo were forced into early substitutions with Cranes replacing injured Khalid Aucho for Geoffrey Kizito while Togo brought Mèmè Placca Fessou for skipper Serge Akakpo.

Cranes continued to press for the second goal and got the breakthrough when an excellent move involving Luwagga Kizito and Godfrey Walusimbi was finished off by Vipers SC star Miya .

With the Uganda Cranes cruising in full gear, Miya sealed the game when he volleyed in a third goal from a brilliant walusimbi cross which was headed back by Massa.

Uganda coach Sredojevic Micho said the Togolese side is not an easy side stating how his boys followed his instructions to score early goals in the match.

“The Togolese side is hard but my boys followed my instructions to score early goals,” he said.

Uganda XI Against Togo:
Dennis Onyango (GK), Iguma Dennis, Joseph Ochaya, Murushidi Juuko, Isaac Isinde, Aucho Khalidi, Tonny Mawejje, William Luwaga Kizito, Miya Farouk, Geoffrey Massa (Capt), Godfrey Walusimbi.

Subs
Robert Ondgokara (GK), Salim Jamal (GK), Oloya Moses, Geoffrey Baba Kizito, Ceaser Okhuti, Umony Brian, Ivan Bukenya, Hamis Diego Kiiza

The post Uganda Cranes cruise into 2018 World Cup group qualifiers first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.