Cranes raid Botswana
Emma Okwi
International friendly
Saturday
Botswana v Uganda
World Cup qualifier
September 7
Senegal v Uganda
Uganda Cranes seek morale a boosting friendly win away to Botswana on Saturday ahead of their 2014 World Cup qualifier against Senegal.
Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic told reporters on Friday that the team arrived safely in Gaborone and they are ready for the game.
Although Uganda have been poor travelers, their recent 1-0 win over Tanzania in the first leg of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier should provide some worry for Senegal.
Micho said he will be trying out a number of aspects against Botswana.
“It is good I have some of my professional players in the Botswana game,” added Micho.
The Cranes have lost two international friendly games after losing to 3-0 to Libya and via a similar score line to Egypt since Micho took over as coach on May 21 after replacing Robert ‘Bobby’ Williamson.
Goalkeeper Dennis Onyango who recently signed for Bidvest Wits University from Mamelodi Sundowns is expected to be part of the team together with St George’s first choice goalkeeper Robert Odonkara who is suspended for a CAF Orange Confederations Group game on Sunday.
Fresh from having trails in Germany, Joseph Ochaya who won the Ghanaian League with Asante Kotoko FC is expected to play a big role for the Cranes together with new kid on the block Frank Kalanda who netted a brace in the 2014 CHAN qualifier against Tanzania in the return leg.
The hosts who are also using the friendly to prepare for their crucial World Cup qualifier away to South Africa will look to striker Moemedi Moatihaping, while Ofentse Nato holds the midfield. Botswana will face Malawi on September 3 in another build-up in Gaborone.
Botswana has a chance of qualifying to the third phase of the qualifiers if Ethiopia loses away to Central African Republic on the same day. The Ethiopians lead Group A with 10 points followed by South Africa on eight points then Botswana is third with seven.
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