After a successful 2017 Afcon qualification campaign, Uganda now takes on another laborious task to see the country go for the first ever Fifa world cup.
The Cranes have already arrived in Tamale after a 1-0 loss in a buildup friendly in Lome against Togo. Nevertheless, we shall not focus a lot on that going by Cranes past three friendlies where they failed the buildup and excelled in the qualifiers.
The hosts don’t hold any better past as they too lost with the same margin against Russia in a friendly last month.
The last time both teams met in a qualifier was in the road to the 2015 Afcon; Uganda picked a draw away and a win at home from the Stars. Both countries were pooled in group two of the 2006 World Cup qualifiers; Ghana picked a late draw through Asamoah Gyan at Namboole after David Obua had put the Cranes ahead. Amoah and Essien ensured a return leg win.
Overall, Cranes have faced Ghana twelve times, winning and drawing three apiece.
Tonny Mawejje scored Uganda’s first half goal in Tamale the last time at the stadium which was later cancelled by Andrew Ayew’s later controversial penalty.
Ghana are ranked fifth in Africa according to the latest Fifa rankings and sit 43rd globally. The Cranes are fifteenth and sit on the 65th place in the world.
FORM GUIDE
Ghana-LDWDWWD
Uganda- LWDWLDL
Strong points
For the Cranes, it’s hard to pick one man to rely on but goalie Dennis Onyango has a key role to play to stop Ghana’s attack that has seen them score eight goals in the last four competitive games
Ghana’s man to watch
Asamoah Gyan is one of the men to pick out in the Black stars camp, 48 goals in his ninety appearances is no mean feat. He last scored at Tamale against Guinea last year in a 3-1 victory. He is also Africa’s record leading scorer in the world cup.
“It will be good to score again but the most important thing is to help my team to victory. The people of Tamale have always been supportive and we bank on them,” Gyan said.
Coach Avram Grant summoned a very strong 23-man squad composed largely European based players. The coach complained a lot on the status of the playground at Tamale but still promised to work out a win.
“The pitch is in dire state but that’s not an excuse. Our target is the same to win and do everything to be in Russia. It’s a tough group every team has a chance of qualifying,” said Avram
Micho is expected to maintain his winning squad with Dennis Onyango and Joseph Ochaya returning to the first team after missing in the starting team that lost to Togo. The Serbian has however played down the hype that the team could make a surprise and qualify for the first time.
“We play one match at a time and therefore can’t speak whether we will qualify because our part is to play and win games. The match against Togo has nothing connected to Ghana’s game, we play a different when it’s a competitive match,” Micho said.
Possible Lineup:
Uganda: D. Onyango, J. Ochaya, M. Jjuuko, I. Isinde, D. Iguma, K. Aucho, T. Mawejje, F. Miya, L. Kizito, M. Oloya, G. Massa