Uganda Cranes onWednesday afternoon find themselves facing several familiar faces (watched on Television playing in top Europen Leagues), with several of England based squad included.
It is an opportunity for coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic to start the process of determining his best side for the finals with Mali, Egypt and Ghana against top-calibre opposition today.
We take a look at five key areas where the match in Dubai could be won or lost before the Friday departure to African Cup of Nations.
Mike Azira v Jean Seri
If American based midfield enforcer Azira is picked ahead of Tony Mawejje, he’ll come into direct competition with OGC Nice’s Jean Seri, the Ivory Coast team’s heartbeat. It’s hard to find too many players this January who will be more critical to their side’s chances of success of a big club in the Ligue 1.
Both are midfielders who can put their foot on the ball, take control of a contest and ensure their teams boss possession can be worth their weight in gold across the world, but in Africa – where such players are often rare – they can take on an even greater importance.
Faluku Miya v Serge Aurier
Uganda’s golden boy Miya recently moved to Europe, signing permanently with Belgian Jupiler League team Standard Liege, and that experience and exposure should come in handy for the Cranes. At age 21 and with 13 international goals in 24 appearances, he looks to be the future of the Ugandan national football team.
But Miya comes up against a defender of world-class calibre in Ivory Coast’s Aurier, so this is an acid test for him especially after a difficult year at club level as he has failed to break into the first team.
Aurier, a full-back/wing-back is constantly marauding down the right flank and has set-up countless assists for teammates. Forget his off-field problems in 2016, he is world class as evidenced by his recent ratings by being the only African to make the FIFPro World 11.
Luwagga Kizito v Eric Bailly
If Uganda are to emerge with any credit from Afcon 2017, Luwagga William Kizito is going to be integral to their hopes.
The Rio Ave (Portugal) winger, who has been in excellent form so far this season, can lay down a marker with a typically bold performance in Dubai against Ivory Coast.
Uganda’s most likely game-changer, whose real threat was witnessed in the 2-1 win away over Botswana in the AFCON 2017 qualifiers, will likely be up against Manchester United centre-back Eric Bailly, Jose Mourinho’s first signing as manager of the club. Bailly has gone on to become a commanding presence in United’s backline, with his aerial prowess and rapid recovery speed making him a good fit for the Premier League. The stats show he has also averaged more tackles (2.6) and more interceptions (3.2) per 90 minutes than United’s other centre-backs.
It goes without saying that Baily is an exceptional player and Luwagga will have to strike a fine balance between taking him on in attack and tracking back to cover for Nicholas Wadada or Denis Guma when the Ivoirians go forward.
Joseph Ochaya v Wilfred Zaha
A mainstay of the team for both club and country, left-back Joseph Ochaya could turn heads with an impressive performance against one of the best wingers globally in Crystal Palace’s 24-year-old Wilfred Zaha born in Abidjan but moved to London as a child and represented the Three Lions at youth level. However, he recently decided play for the country of his birth and will represent the Elephants at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
Put Zaha out of the game and add three good performances at the Nations Cup, Ochaya could force European scouts to convince their clubs to bring out their cheque-books to secure his signature.
Denis Onyango v Salomon Kalou
One of the more experienced members of the team who at age 31 has gathered 83 caps and scored 28 goals since making his international debut in 2007. He often operates from the wings, where he utilises his pace, skill and strength to get into dangerous scoring positions to set-up himself and teammates. A top player to have in the team considering the number of titles he has won over the years.
This being the very first meeting between the two countries, the man charged with stopping the Hertha Berlin striker will likely be, yet another African superstar Denis Onyango undoubtedly the Cranes first-choice custodian and has been for the previous eight or so years.
Author: stephenmuneza@gmail.com, +256772544870 or Twitter @stephenkmuneza
