The 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers’ loss against Tanzania on Friday, according to Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic, was evidence that the team is still in the midst of a transformation.
In the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt, in a Group F match of the qualifications, the Tanzanian Taifa Stars stunned the Uganda Cranes 1-0.
Although CAF has not allowed any stadium in Uganda to host the qualifiers this year, the Cranes welcomed the Tanzanian team.
After the loss to Tanzania, Micho commented, “We are a team in transition, and when you are a team in transition practically, you gradually introduce your boys to the greatest level of football.”
Following a prior 2-0 loss to Algeria nine months ago, the Uganda Cranes suffered their second setback in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, which puts them in a more dangerous situation with regard to their chances of earning a desired seat in the continental championship.
With a starting eleven that included at least five defenders and two defensive midfielders in Khalid Aucho and Siraje Sentamu, Micho, who is frequently criticized for his defensive style of play, adhered to his usual strategy.
The Uganda Cranes sole chance came in the 30th minute, but left-back turned winger Joseph Ochaya was unable to take advantage of the small advantage they had due to the plan, which, like many of Micho’s Cranes games, limited their creativity.
Ismail Mugulusi, Steven Sserwadda, and Richard Basangwa were brought in by Micho in the second half as a result of a tactical change to strengthen the team’s offensive potential. They took the place of Fahad Bayo, Farouk Miya, and Siraje Ssentamu.
However, despite Coach Micho’s rapid response, his substitutions were unable to change the course of the match, and Tanzania ultimately secured a much-needed victory thanks to a goal scored by Simon Msuva in the 68th minute.
The loss has increased pressure on the Cranes’ technical staff to lead the group back to the continental championship, a feat they last accomplished in 2019. With just one point from their first three games played, they are still at the bottom of the group standings. Tanzania, on the other hand, has risen to the second spot after accruing four points.
The second leg of the qualification hurdle between the two teams will take place in Dar es Salaam on March 28, 2023. The defeat, according to Micho, has served to highlight the crucial areas that require development if the Uganda Cranes are to successfully clinch their position in the AFCON tournament, but not dimmed his optimism despite the loss.
He stressed the team’s ineffectiveness lack the offensive third as a critical area that needs to be fixed before they play Tanzania in the second leg.
