Cranes told to build on Micho’s legacy
Onyango feels coach laid Afcon base for Uganda
Mamelodi Sundowns and Uganda first-choice goalkeeper Denis Onyango has challenged The Cranes to build on Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic’s legacy as they aim to qualify for the next edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), to be hosted by Cameroon in June next year.
Sredojevic, now coaching local club Orlando Pirates, is still a popular figure in Uganda after guiding this East African nation to their first Afcon qualification in 38 years in 2017.
Onyango, who is also his national team’s captain, was pinning Uganda’s hopes of booking their berth in Cameroon on the foundation Sredojevic laid.
The Downs shot-stopper has urged his compatriots to fight for Micho’s French successor, Sebastian Desabre.
“Coach Micho did very well for us because he had stayed in Africa for a while. He gave us a good picture of teams we were going to play. He laid a solid foundation for our national team,” Onyango said.
“The boys must continue with the same fighting spirit under the new coach. I believe we have a strong team that can help us qualify. We are aiming to use some of his [Micho’s] teachings to qualify for the Cameroon [Afcon].”
Uganda are top of Group L after winning their first match away to Cape Verde in June last year. They host Tanzania on Saturday in their second group fixture. Another SAbased player in the Ugandan squad is new Kaizer Chiefs left back Godfrey Walusimbi.
“Tanzania have good individuals who play in Europe. like [Mbwana] Samatta. They have one player at Baroka [Abdi Banda] as well. So it won’t be just a walk in the park for us,” warned Onyango.
“It is an East African derby as well. Winning your home matches is important if you want to qualify. It all depends on hard work.”
Afcon Qualifiers Tomorrow: Comoros v Cameroon; Namibia v Zambia; Gabon v Burundi; Kenya v Ghana; Equatorial Guinea v Sudan; Seychelles v Nigeria; Gambia v Algeria; Mozambique v Guinea Bissau; Mauritania v Burkina Faso; Egypt v Niger; Morocco v Malawi;
Madagascar v Senegal; Lesotho v Cape Verde; Swaziland v Tunisia; Rwanda v Cote d’lvoire; Congo v Zimbabwe; Ethiopia v Sierra Leone; Liberia v DR Congo; Sound Sudan v Mali; Angola v Botswana; Togo v Benin; Guinea v Central African Republic.