AFCONQ 2023: Micho promises 'attacking football' against Niger

Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic has not won many hearts after failing to qualify the team to AFCON 2023 /FUFA image

FOOTBALL AFCONQ 2023: Micho promises 'attacking football' against Niger

Allan Damba • 15:21 - 15.08.2023

And, head coach Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic has vowed to go all-out than the usual caginess against the West Africans.

Uganda Cranes will need victory over Niger in the final Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in September, if they're to stand any chances of making the Ivory Coast edition next year.

With four points in third in Group F, the Cranes have to tame bottom side Niger and pray Tanzania, who are second with seven points, get beaten by Algeria.

And, head coach Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic has vowed to go all-out than the usual caginess against the West Africans.

"We shall go all out in attack. The intention is to win," the Serbian wa quoted by FUFA media.

Micho arriving with the team for the game against Algeria|FUFA Image

"It is all about the final product. It is a campaign that we entered in an enormous risk with a transitional squad that has nine players from the finalists of AFCON U20 in Mauritania, 2021," said the Serbian before adding:

"With only few senior players and four survivors from the team of 2019 when we played AFCON, that is Emma Okwi, Khalid Aucho, Faruku Miya and Joseph Ochaya. (Salim Jamal was also in Egypt for the AFCON 2019 Finals)."

The qualification campaign has been close to scandalous with the team winning just one game, drawing one and losing three, but Micho is optimistic the end will be pleasant.

"I need to say before even starting this qualifier we knew there were two parts in this group; one is Algeria the run-away leaders and the second one is Tanzania and Niger."

"Now Niger is out of contention due to points and us (Uganda) and Tanzania are perfectly still in. We have a perfect chance that if we win against Niger, we qualify for the AFCON."

Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic | Photo Credit: FUFA Media

Due to a lack of a CAF approved stadium, Niger who are the hosts, have taken the game to Morocco at the Marrakech Stadium.

Uganda Cranes Provisional Squad

 Goalkeepers Watenga Isima (Golden Arrows FC, South Africa), Magoola Salim Omar (Richards Bay FC, South Africa), Lukwago Charles (Unattached), Alionzi Nafian (Unattached), Mutakubwa Joel (BUL FC, Uganda) 

Defenders Semakula Kenneth (SC Villa, Uganda), Begisa James (URA FC, Uganda), Muleme Isaac (Viktoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), Awany Timothy (SC Ashdod, Israel), Lwaliwa Halidi (FK Bregalnica Stip, North Macedonia), Gift Fred (Yanga SC, Tanzania), Mugabi Bevis (Motherwell FC, Scotland), Musa Ramathan (VFK Vyskov, Czech Republic), Wasswa Geofrey (Ethiopian Buna SC, Ethiopia), Bwomono Elvis (IBV Vestamanyaer, Iceland), Kayondo Abdu Aziizi (AC Leganes, Spain) 

Midfielders Aucho Khalid (Yanga SC, Tanzania), Byaruhanga Bobosi (Austin FC, USA), Sentamu Siraje (Vipers SC, Uganda), Lwanga Taddeo (APR FC, Rwanda), Ndhondhi Moses Waiswa (KCCA FC, Uganda), Karisa Milton (Vipers SC, Uganda), Mutyaba Travis (SC Villa, Uganda), Mugulusi Isma (Feirense, Portugal), Mato Rogers (Sanliurfaspor, Turkey), Ochaya Joseph (Al Makawloon, Egypt), Miya Faruku (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey), Tibita Laban (URA FC, Uganda), Kasule Ibrahim (New York Red Bull II, USA) 

Forwards Okwi Emmanuel (Erbil SC, Iraq), Bayo Fahad (VFK Vyskov, Czech Republic), Basangwa Richard (Wadi Degla SC, Egypt), Ssebufu Frank (New York Redbull II, USA)