2018 World Cup Qualifier (Group E)
Saturday, October 7
Uganda v Ghana, Namboole Stadium, 4pm (SS9)
The Cranes face off with Ghana’s Black Stars this Saturday with what seemed like an unlikely 2018 World Cup qualification edging much closer to reality. First however, the team needs to do itself a huge favour by beating Ghana, and then hope the Ghanaians can offer a helping hand by stopping Egypt in early November. In short, there is no room for error for the Cranes.
Uganda lies second in Group E on seven points, two points behind table-topping Egypt. Ghana are third on five points, while Congo-Brazzaville with a single point are already eliminated. With the Egyptians expected to take three points against Congo, Uganda can ill-afford to drop points, as anything other than a win, coupled with full points for Egypt in their game, will guarantee qualification for the Pharoahs.
If, however, the Cranes manage a win, the battle will be shifted to the final day of the campaign in the second weekend of November as the boys will have to win away against Congo and count on Ghana doing them a big favour by beating Egypt who they host in the last fixture. It is complicated indeed.
But with an impressive home record the Cranes have enjoyed over the years at Namboole, winning at home is a feasible target even against the three-time World Cup participants (2006, 2010 and 2014) who at the moment have a very slim chance of making a fourth straight appearance. Not even the absences through suspension or injury of stars Khalid Aucho, Murshid Juuko and Baba Kizito have dampened the mood of caretaker managers Moses Basena and Fred Kajoba
Basena’s challenge will be finding the right midfield replacement for the suspended Aucho, even as the team welcomes back rejuvenated veteran Tony Mawejje to the fold,. He also must find answers to a rejigged Ghana side that will be without the Ayew brothers (Jordan and Andre) as well as captain Asamoah Gyan, all dropped to make way for the mostly local contingent which overwhelmed Congo 5-1 in Brazzaville in August.