AFCON 2015 Qualifier:
Mauritania Vs Uganda (Uganda leads 2 – 0 from first leg)
Sunday 3rd August 2014
Venue: Olympic Stadium Conforment Nouakchott
Time: 5 pm in Mauritania (8 pm in Uganda)
We are not here to just defend-Micho
– Cranes to wear red tops and socks, black shorts.
-Captain Mwesigwa rallies his teammates
-Kipsiro and Uganda U17 to inspire Cranes
-FUFA president’s message
-Players’ quotes
-Trivia in Cranes camp-lighter moment of the team
Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has promised to go on the offensive in today’s return leg of 2015 Orange African Nations cup qualifier against Mauritania.
Speaking to the media before his team’s last training session the Serbian said that he is looking forward for an away win.
Micho took over last year from Bobby Williamson added that glorious moments involving Ugandan teams and individuals at international level have inspired the Uganda Cranes players in Mauritania.
‘Uganda Cubs and Moses Kipsiro will motivate the players in the game against Mauritania’ said Sredojevic. The Uganda U17 team beat Rwanda 3-2 on home soil to register a 7-2 aggregate score while Kipsiro managed to successfully defend his 10,000M title at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
‘Their victories will inspire the Cranes players to work hard and be part of the weekend national achievements’ said Andy Mwesigwa.
‘We have a national duty to perform and must be accomplished like Kipsiro and Uganda Cubs did’ added the team skipper Mwesigwa.
Leader of delegation, FUFA President’s message
The federation never took the trip for granted and decided to name the FUFA president Eng Moses Magogo as Leader of Delegation. Since the team left Kampala three days ago, Magogo has been close to his boys and sharing some light moments with them including a prayer session on the pitch after training yesterday.
‘We are motivated by the fact that we have prepared well, we have the privilege to represent our country, we have the desire to win and now we believe the Almighty is with us’ said Magogo in a simple message to the players.
The Uganda Cranes are accommodated at Wissal hotel, located 5 km from the airport and the stadium.
Micho has still kept the starting line up close to his chest until 2pm. All the 18 players he named for the trip are with him in Mauritania including Tony Mawejje and Kizito Luwagga.
Quotes from camp –Players
‘I am dreaming about punishing the Mauritanians again in front of their fans if the coach selects me’ said Brian Majwega. The KCC FC left winger netted the opener in the first leg after coming off the bench.
‘We are here for business and must finish it by all means’ Andy Mwesigwa
‘It’s now or never. I feel sorry for them (Mauritania) but we have to be happy after the game’ Tony Mawejje
Lighter moments in camp
The Media officer Fred Katende Malibu had 5 sweets for the team but had no means to share them equally. Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito came up with a solution-that the five dreadlocked players in camp should enjoy the sweets and those are Robert Ssentongo, Denis Iguma, Dan Serunkuma, Brian Umony and himself.
Translator is Isinde’s long-time friend
Defender Isaac Isinde claimed that the team’s translator while still in Mali was his long-time friend. One wonders where the two had met from before that trip.
Swahili in Mali
Crispus Muyinda spoke Swahili after language barrier with French speaking hotel stuff. English couldn’t save him either. Muyinda was the head of the Cranes advance party.
Kenzo’s sitya loss song on Local TV
When Eddie Kenzo’s famous sitya loss song played on the Local Tv station in Mali, the players were moved but enjoyed the moment.
Presidential security for Cranes?
Security was tight as 7 Presidents landed in their various presidential jets with Uganda Cranes at the same airport in Mauritania.
MAIN PHOTO: Uganda Cranes players in a brief prayer moment after training last night.
