Uganda Cranes CHAN captain Geoffrey Sserunkuma has revealed that National team coach Milutin Sredejovich Micho had earlier warned them that South Sudan would be a hard nut to crack if they didn’t take them seriously.
Speaking with ChimpReports on Sunday during the team’s first training in preparation for the upcoming crucial second leg tie with South Sudan due on Friday 21st July at Phillip Omondi stadium in Lugogo, Sserunkuma said:
“Before the match, the coach told us not to take South Sudan for granted and that Somalia had lost to them by 2-0, so we should play with caution.”
Sserunkuma went further to pile praise for the South Sudanese Goalkeeper who kept out his penalty kick in Juba:
“I give much credit to their Keeper who not only saved my penalty but also pulled off many saves on the day. We got many chances including the penalty I missed, but I think it was supposed to be his day.”
The captain also added that time reached when they were just playing to force a goal at all costs but it didn’t work because the opponents were much organised at the back.
Asked on whether the availability of many KCCA FC players on the national team squad would affect on the team’s performance, he said:
“True, fatigue is there because we have played many games but that may not have counted because we were the better team in Juba it’s just that we never made the ball cross our opponent’s goal line.”
Sserunkuma who was recently rewarded with 3 accolades; Most Valuable player (MVP), fans player of the season and player’s player award for the concluded KCCA fc awards ceremony went on to rest Cranes hopes’ of qualifying in the hands of God:
“We just have to pray that luck is on our side when we play from our artificial turf.” Concluded Sserunkuma
Uganda Cranes CHAN permutations:
The goalless draw at Juba meant that Uganda Cranes will need any win to go the next phase, or at least another goalless draw will force extra time.
Winner between Uganda and South Sudan will face off with either Tanzania or Rwanda who too still have unfinished business and will play this Friday at Stade Regional Nyamirambo in Kigali after drawing one-all in their first leg in Mwanza.