Uganda coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has expressed sheer joy and content after guiding the Cranes to their first appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 1978.
Farouk Miya’s lone goal in the first half was enough to secure a place at Afcon 2017 in Gabon as Uganda became the first East African nation to qualify for Africa’s premier football event since Kenya and Rwanda took part at the 2004 edition in Tunisia.
The Serbian tactician, who started his decorated 16-year coaching journey on the African continent at Ugandan league giants SC Villa, was emotional at the historic feat referring to it as befitting of the moment.
“I am very proud and happy because I have one belief. I have won 14 league titles in five different big clubs on the African continent. I have won the Cecafa Club and Senior Challenge Cup. I have qualified Uganda two consecutive times to Chan and I have been to the semifinals of the Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup three times but all this cannot be compared,” Micho noted his achievements.
“You cannot say that you have coached in Africa if you have not coached at, what I want to call the “World Cup” for us here in Africa, our Africa Cup of Nations which is the biggest pride and I am very happy that we have achieved that feat.”
Micho took over the helm of Ugandan football in May 2013 and has since embarked on a journey to deliver the much coveted place at Afcon, one that he admits has been down to hard work, commitment and determination from the players, federation and fans who have been supportive.
Uganda is currently ranked 65th on the Fifa World rankings, 13th on the African continent and the highest Cecafa ranked nation notably ahead of African giants like Nigeria (67th) and Zambia (91st) who missed out on qualification to the continental showpiece.
Usher Komugisha/supersport
