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The Classic East African clash between the two neighbouring states at the Suez Canal Stadium – the first of two back to back matches – is eagerly awaited on both sides of the border.
Uganda Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sreodjevic says he expects ‘the finer details’ to determine their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against neighbours Tanzania, and has therefore left no stone unturned in his preparations for the game.
The Classic East African clash between the two neighbouring states at the Suez Canal Stadium – the first of two back to back matches – is eagerly awaited on both sides of the border.
The Cranes return will play their first game since in seven months, but will have to host what would be a home game 4,000 miles away as the game brings to the fore the glaring lack of infrastructure in the country.
But even without their legion of supporters, a derby atmosphere and incredible familiarity between the two sides is guaranteed for the Friday evening’s kickoff.
“The beauty of football is when you play against your neighbours, you know them and they know you,” Micho said in his pre match comments.
“So it is the small details that will decide,” he added, “And we want to do everything possible for those details to be on our side.”
“When I analyse everything and every single detail, I am convinced that we are tactically aware of the sources of vulnerability and points of danger in the Tanzanian team.”
“I believe that we are mentally ready, technically effective and tactically competitive,” he added.
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.
Four of the last five meetings between the two sides have been victories for Uganda, but their most recent meeting saw the Taifa Stars edge the Cranes 1-0.
Micho will hope the Cranes can strike the same chords or pick a leaf from a 4-0 aggregate victory during the Africa Nations Champiosnhip (CHAN) qualifiers last September.
“We have waited nine months for this time to come, and for me our AFCON qualifiers start on Friday against Tanzania,” Micho declared on Tuesday.
“We have a lot of respect for our brothers (Tanzania), but in respect for the 50 million Ugandans back home, we need to get the best result.”
“We have a good mix of both experience and the young lads who are coming through from the youth squads and are willing to prove themselves,” he explained.
“I don’t remember a period where this amount of players have been in top shape to be ready to play.”
“But we need to have a strategy, who can start and who can bring the impact of fresh legs, because when the game is starting, teams at 100%, but as it grows, effectiveness goes down,” the Serbian continued.
“So, it is very important to have the impact from the substitutes because then it gives you an edge over your opponent.”
“Looking at the potential of the players, I am looking forward to the game and getting the best possible result tomorrow,” Micho stated.
It will be the 25th time that Uganda faces Tanzania since 2007, with the Cranes suffering defeat on only three occasions during that period, and have lost four of their last five meetings.
Tanzania find themselves in a similar position like the Cranes, having collected one point from their opening two qualifiers in Group F.
They were held to a draw by Niger before suffering a 2-0 defeat to Algeria.
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