Uganda are seeking to storm Asaba for Tuesday international friendly against Nigeria in a mood of celebration, once they become the the sixth African nation to qualify for the 2019 Nations Cup finals should the East Africans avoid defeat against Cape Verde at Namboole this weekend.
Before travelling to Asaba, sports247.ng can report that every player in Sebastien Desabre’s team is aware of what is needed, and you can see the fire in their eyes that they are up to the task.
Four matches into the qualification and Uganda are the only other side yet to lose a match alongside Burundi, Mali, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Guinea and Africa’s number one country Tunisia.
Actually, at 10 points – five ahead of opponents Tanzania and six Cape Verde -, the Cranes are only behind Tunisia, who have won all their four games.
It is because of that background that Cranes players, who have scored five goals without reply in their last two matches against Lesotho to establish distance from the chasing pack, are way beyond looking for the needed point
“Though a point is enough for us to qualify,” assured Kaizer Chiefs and Uganda left back Godfrey Walusimbi, “But we are focused on three points. We have to aim for the highest.”
The Cranes’ captain, Denis Onyango, one-time African Player of the Year home-based, remains one of only two goalkeepers yet to concede a goal in four qualifying matches and has asked his teammates to believe.
“We want to finish on a high by beating Cape Verde at home and winning the East African derby (against Tanzania) in Dar es Salaam,” insisted Onyango, the Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper.
Maximum points would see Uganda qualify with a country record 16 points, and The Cranes right-back and Azam defender Nicholas Wadada is almost certain.
Wadada said: “They are good but we are better. We have been together and played together for some good time and we are at home. We shall get maximum points on Saturday.”
The Cranes’ vice-captain, Hassan Wasswa, however, believes that although Uganda have the authority to claim three points on Saturday, they will have to work extra hard for it.
“Cape Verde is not as bad as their results in qualifications suggest. We know that they are a very good side and are capable of pulling off a result anywhere if they play their football,” said the El Gaish, Egypt player.
“So that is a reminder that even though we know we need just one point to qualify, we know we shall have to sweat for it because Cape Verde also can still qualify.”
Onyango reiterated that it would be short-sightedness for them as players and coaches to go into the game eyeing just one point because there are even bigger things to factor in.
“We want to finish top of the group so that we are seeded in the final tournament,” said the skipper.
CAF seeding of teams normally considers countries performances in the most recent editions of AFCON finals, AFCON qualifiers, World Cup finals and World Cup qualifiers.
If seeded, Uganda would stand a chance of avoiding some of the continental heavyweights in the group.
The Cranes were at the previous AFCON finals edition in Gabon, and finished second in their World Cup qualifying group behind Egypt and ahead of Ghana. The Cranes will finish their 2019 campaign away to Tanzania March next year.
Water tight. Cranes captain Denis Onyango remains one of only two goalkeepers yet to concede a goal in four qualifying matches and has asked his teammates to have a mind of abundance.
