Kihwelu Upbeat On Dispatching Uganda Kobs

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

Doris Maliyaga

26 April 2011

The national Under-23 soccer team coach, Jamhuri Kihwelu, said yesterday his team will not suffer from psychological hangover come SaturdayKihwelu said the win over Cameroon in the 2012 Olympic Games return leg qualifier at the National Stadium last month, was just one step as they fight in two fronts.

His team hosts the Uganda Kobs at the same venue on Saturday in the return leg showdown of the All-Africa Games.

“All I want to do is find a way to notch up the victory we need to make it into the next stage of the All-Africa Games. We want to make history in both Olympic and All-Africa Games,” he said confidently.”We want to be among teams that will be in Mozambique in September and London next year for the finals of All-Africa Games and Olympic games, respectively. We want to experience that,” he added.

Having tumbled 2-1 to the Ugandans in the first leg match in Kampala about two weeks ago, the Kihwelu’s boys need a win of at least one clear goal on Saturday to remain in contention for a place in the Maputo Games.He said his players were in high spirits, looking forward to turning tables on the Ugandans in what promises to be a mouth-watering encounter.

About a month ago, the youth team defied the odds to bundle fancied Cameroon out of the 2012 Olympic Games qualifiers on 7-6 goal aggregate.And the former Simba coach believes his team would repeat that memorable feat on Saturday.

“Uganda are a good team. Personally I’ve much respect for them, but this time around we’ll show them that we’ve what it takes to make an impact in high-profile competitions,” Kihwelu insisted.

He asked soccer fans to turn to turn up at the ultra-modern venue in large numbers on Saturday, saying his players need the enthusiastic support they enjoyed against Cameroon to silence the Ugandans.The youth team’s vital away goal was netted by Kiggi Makassy, who was at his best in the first leg .

AllAfrica – All the Time