Experienced Uganda Cranes defender Hassan Wasswa Mawanda has said they are not under pressure ahead of tonight’s Group D game against Egypt in Port Gentil.
The Cranes lost 1-0 to Ghana in the opening match at the on-going 2017 Total Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). But Mawanda said on Friday that they are not under pressure because they know what to expect against Egypt.
“We know what the Egyptians can offer. We have studied them for a long time and we are ready for the match,” added Mawanda. Head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic will welcome back defender Murushid Juuko and Khalid Aucho who missed the first because they accumulated two yellow cards during the qualifiers.
While Egypt have won the Cup of Nations a record seven times, Uganda came closest to glory in 1978 when finishing runners-up to hosts Ghana. Tradition suggests Egypt will win 2-1 because that was the scoreline in their favour on the three previous occasions they met Uganda in the competition. The Pharaohs overcame the Cranes in a 1962 semi-final and during the group phase of the 1974 and 1976 tournaments.
