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AFCON 2017: Micho; What I know about Ghana will be revealed to the players

TOTAL AFCON 2017-GABON 

TUESDAY: GHANA VS UGANDA 

TIME: 5 PM (IN GABON, 7 PM EAST)

VENUE: STADE PORT GENTIL 

Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic says that he players are ready for the big stage as they plot for their first outing at the AFCON finals since 1978.

Micho’s comments were made at the official CAF Press conference for Uganda Cranes coach and team captain Geoffrey Massa attended by the media at the Media centre- Stade Port Gentil.

Micho had just completed his final training session with the Uganda Cranes at Stade Sogara before he headed to the press conference with the Massa and Team media officer Ahmed Hussein.

Mich0 (2nd L) and Massa (R) during the CAF official press conference on Monday at the Media Centre-Stade Port Gentil

‘My team has no experience playing at this stage. However we know the expectations of the entire country when Uganda Cranes against the giants. It will not be different when Uganda plays Ghana on Tuesday’ said Micho.

Micho at the press conference

Micho added; ‘History of the matches played between Uganda and Ghana will not be part of tomorrow’s outing’

When he was asked about any possible scouting done on Ghana if any, the Serbian coach said he had a lot of work to focus on but he was quick to throw in a brief on the question.

‘What I know about Ghana will only be told to the players. We know they have solved the problems they had at home but let us wait for tomorrow as this team is focused’

 Massa speaks out at press conference

Massa’s name has already been inked in the Uganda football history books as the captain who took back his country to the AFCON finals after 39 years.

However Massa says that in Micho, the country has a wonderful coach.

‘We have a great coach who knows how to handle young and senior players. We believe in him and he knows how to get the best out of us’

‘We are not here as tourists, we came here for business. We are here on  purpose and we will start it tomorrow against Ghana’

‘ It is a good feeling to be my team captain after all these years. It’s a motivation to the players and we are all happy and can’t wait for tomorrow.

‘It won’t be easy against Ghana but we know why we are here. We had good results against them recently. Millions of people are waiting for us with happiness and this is our motivation’

Players traning on Monday at Stade Sogara

Earlier in the day the Minister of state for Sports Hon Charles Bakkabulindi, FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo, Commissioner for Sports Lamex Omara Apita joined the Cranes camp today.

Bakkabulindi told players that Government is heavily engaged with sports federations on how they can be financed.

‘Government has supported the Cranes by providing UGX 2bn. They had a budget for this tournament but we should be happy that Government came in and supported  part of the preparations’ said Bakkabulindi.

FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo that the country is eagerly waiting for tomorrow’s match. We need to remain focused. Let us plan for the game on Tuesday’

L-R FUFA Executive Committee member Rogers Byamukama, FUFA President, Sports Minister and Micho

The day’s activities also saw the Ugandan Contingent attend the match coordination meeting where it was also confirmed by CAF that defenders Murushidi Juuko and Khalid Aucho will not play in tomorrow’s game due to suspension. The cards accumulated during the qualification campaign.

Uganda will wear red shirts, white shorts and red stockings.

Players take group photo with Glo CAF awards

The players enjoyed a moment for a group photo where Glo CAF African player of the year based in Africa-Denis Onyango and the National team of the year awards were on display.

 

MAIN PHOTO: Uganda Cranes players in a group photo with FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo 5th Left (front row) and team officials. Skipper Geoffrey Massa (4th L is holding the Glo CAF National team of the year award) while Denis Onyango (6th L) has the award he won from CAF (African player of the year). 

 

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