AFCON 2023 The Cranes team Micho should pick vs Tanzania

Digging into his recent comments ahead of the game gives you clear indication into what he is preparing for the game. After a training match on Tuesday, he said specifically that he had gathered the basic information he needed, evaluated the players and drafted a silhouette of his approach.

The future of the Uganda Cranes’ 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign hangs in the balance as the qualification window hits its midway point.

East African rivals and neighbours Tanzania form Uganda’s next opponents, with the two meeting in back to back qualifiers that has so much bearing on the immediate chances of either team to play at the final tournament in Ivory Coast.

Round one of the so-called ‘Kagera derby’ will take place 4,000 miles away from its would-be natural habitat, at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia on Friday evening, but not even the distance will drain the anticipation on either side of the border.

The heaviest weight of expectation will fall on majorly two men who will be in charge of either side, none more so than what weighs on Serbian Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic as he attempts to get it right.

Having opened their qualifying campaign with defeat to Algeria before they were held to a 1-1 draw by Niger, Uganda needs to win both their meetings to get their campaign back on track.

Micho has taken charge of 25 games since his third return at the helm of the national team, but this will be a test like no other, coming at least seven months since the senior side’s last game.

There will be changes definitely in the game, but how much does he change. Should he try something different in terms of approach, keeping in mind how much any result can affect the campaign and how rigid he is to change.

Digging into his recent comments ahead of the game gives you clear indication into what he is preparing for the game. After a training match on Tuesday, he said specifically that he had gathered the basic information he needed, evaluated the players and drafted a silhouette of his approach.

The game was promising for the Cranes by all standards. They scored three – which was only the third time they scored as many under Micho - but even more importantly, kept a clean sheet.

The stage against the Taifa Stars will be bigger, but you get the feeling and understanding that it is a habit for him not to change a lot when it is closer to the game, especially when he has tried out a system that works.

With that said, it is not hard to figure out Micho’s ideas ahead of the game, and how he could shape up his team.

So on Tuesday, it was Salim Jamal in goal, and his return to the Cranes fold gives Charles Lukwago a bigger run. Coupled with his form for Richards Bay, then you are sure he can sway Micho in giving him the node.

There is panic over Gavin Kizito's fitness ahead of the game. The defender has been trusted by Micho at right back, but carried a knock from the team's last training session. 

James Begisa is the other natural option at right back within the squad, but is he ready for such a stage especially with so much riding on it? Kenneth Ssemakula is the other more versatile option that can be explored. 

It will be a late call and one that Micho will have to think hard about, but I would give my pick to Begisa and trust him to do the job. On the parallel end, Aziz Kayondo will be asked to patrol up and down the left.

Timothy Awany and Halid Lwaliwa will partner in central defence to combine their skill sets to try and stop Tanzania’s biggest threat through Mbwana Samatta, but a queer selection of Livingstone Mulondo could as well be on the cards.

Khalid Aucho has clearly staked heftily at his club Yanga Africans for a slot as the sheet to cover protection to the back four. But who plays besides him in a double pivot raises a bit of debate.

Bobosi Byaruhanga has flourished under Micho, and provides both defensively but also an outlet in transitions especially with his long passes. Siraje Ssentamu has been super impressive over the last 18 months, and better yet provides almost similar attributes to Aucho.

Intriguingly, Micho has always favoured a natural defender as one of the pivots, and recently he has discovered Kenneth Ssemakula as the profile to fit that role. With Bobosi not playing as much recently, Ssentamu seems the more logical option to suit Micho's approach.

Emmanuel Okwi will be desperate to score his first goal for the Cranes in close to a year. His experience and role within the squad are so important to the Cranes especially in a game like this.

Allan Okello’s creativity will be important to the Cranes, but expect him to sit out from the start with the promise that he will come on at some point as chances and spaces open up.

Steven Mukwala or Fahad Bayo will be the harder picks to figure. But they are like for like players and you’d expect them to play the same role at separate intervals. Mukwala is quick and he will stretch an opponent, while Bayo’s athleticism can be crucial as the two sides tire.

Joseph Ochaya will start on the left, not my choice, but am sure it’s a choice Micho has followed like tradition over the years, with Farouk Miya as a No 10 behind Mukwala.

Uganda Cranes Probable XI:

Salim Jama Magoola (GK), Gavin Kizito, Aziz Kayondo, Timothy Awany, Halid Lwaliwa, Khalid Aucho, Kenneth Ssemakula, Farouk Miya, Joseph Ochaya, Emmanuel Okwi (C), Steven Mukwala.

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