Total CHAN 2020: Pre Match Quotes: McKinstry, Lwaliwa and Saidi Kyeyune on Uganda vs Togo
African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2020- Cameroon
Group C- AT Stade de la Reunifiction- Douala
18th Jan 2021 Rwanda 0-0 Uganda
22nd Jan 2021 Uganda vs Togo (10pm EAT, 8pm Local Time)
26th Jan 2021 Morocco vs Uganda (10pm EAT, 8pm Local Time)
The next two matches for Uganda Cranes at the ongoing Total CHAN Finals 2020 in Cameroon will define the team’s journey at the tournament in Cameroon.
Having drawn goalless with Rwanda in the opening match on Monday, Johnathan McKinstry’s troops will be hoping to treat the matches against Togo and Morocco like Cup Finals.
However the Northern Irishman still has a lot of confidence in his team because they have been putting into practice what they have learnt during training sessions.
Johnathan McKinstry -Head Coach, Uganda Cranes is planning with his technical team to pass on the best tactics ahead of tomorrow’s match against Togo. )
At the Pre-match Press conference on Thursday afternoon and a detailed interview session with fufa.co.ug in Cameroon McKinstry also revealed that strike Milton Karisa will not be available for the fixture against Togo on Friday.
Uganda Cranes Head coach Johnathan McKinstry on Karisa’s injury update
‘It is unfortunate that Karisa had to come out early in that game where we had a bright start against Rwanda. He had a good run during the Mini Tournament in Doula. The Medical team has done a wonderful job and will monitor the situation in the next few days. As we welcome back our captain Halid Lwaliwa, it is unfortunate that Karisa will not be available for selection on Friday. The medical team will keep assessing his fitness levels and report back. We shall miss him but it is an opportunity for others to step in and show what they can do’ said McKinstry after Wednesday’s training in Douala.
Milton Karisa had a bright starts against Rwanda but he was forced off ealry in the game due to injury. McKinstry will dearly miss him in attack.
McKinstry on Cranes team and next opponents Togo
In the current situation where it is for the rest of the teams in the tournament playing after every three days, we have got to find the balance between the technical and tactical part that you want to do on the field.
Togo plays differently from Rwanda. The boys look confident ahead of the match with Togo. We shall make small adjustments going into this game.
Goalkeeper Charles Lukwago will be required to command the back line that operates infront of him in the game against Togo.
Uganda Cranes Starting XI against Rwanda. McKinstry says his players will find a different challenge on Friday but his technical team has solutions.
Togo will present a different challenge from Rwanda but we don’t want to give them their rhythm in the game. If we do that, we shall be punished. We know both teams provide different challenges and we must get solutions. We know Togo will come into the game looking to improve as well but we feel that we have solutions for the game against Togo. The session on Thursday night will give us a true picture of what we want to do on Friday.
Uganda Cranes Captain- Halid Lwaliwa
Uganda Cranes players warm up at the beginning of training in Douala. Lwalila says the players are ready for action tomorrow against Togo.
I am back and training well. The decision to select me for the game is in the hands of the coach. However I am fit and ready to play. Our character that brought us to the CAHN Finals is still vibrant and intact. We shall stick to that as a team to get results. We didn’t get what we desired for on Monday but we also know that we must improve.
Saidi Kyeyune- Uganda Cranes Midfielder
The coach has kept telling us to play as a team to get the desired result in the next game. We dropped points on the first day but there is room for improvement and that is what we are doing during the training sessions. The senior players will keep guiding the young talent in the squad but they need to remain focused and take every opportunity while at this stage. They need to know the value of being here as it helps the team and players improve every time they are on pitch.
MAIN PHOTO: Uganda Cranes Head coach Johnathan McKinstry and his 1st Assistant Abdallah Mubiru during a training sesison on Wednesday night in Douala. The will have to plan for improved performance against Togo on Friday in CHAN.
