Uganda: Obua Calls for Unity, Not Under Pressure

Andrew Mwanguhya

31 May 2011

Namboole — Several one-twos, a few sit and push-ups and shooting drills characterised Cranes coach Bobby Williamson’s one-hour session in the mid-morning sun at Namboole yesterday.

Goalkeepers Dennis Onyango and Hamza Muwonge took their turns between the sticks although Onyango had a slight ankle injury scare, which he later brushed off as minor. A few touches involving Mike Mutyaba, Steven Bengo and a few other legs had the ball halt on Hearts’ forward David Obua’s lethal left.

Obua had escaped his markers and when he met the ball – reminiscent of his executions against Angola and Guinea Bissau away – Onyango had no answer. Such timed runs and finishing is what Bobby will need again when Uganda Cranes welcome Guinea Bissau in the return leg of the 2012 Nations Cup qualifier this Saturday.

Obua’s exploits in the Cranes jersey have elevated him to one of the country’s finest, his work rate notwithstanding. He has so far scored two of Uganda’s four goals after three matches, partly explaining why the Cranes top Group J with seven points, three adrift of Kenya. Angola and Guinea Bissau are tied on three.

Obua also top-scored for Uganda in Ghana 2008 qualifiers with five before adding one in the Angola 2010 qualifiers. Such is the weight of expectation Ugandans will have on Obua this Saturday, especially that Cranes will be one foot in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea next year with victory.

Missing Sekagya

But the 27-year-old is relaxed as, together with teammates, he champions the end to the 34-year absence from the event. “I don’t feel any pressure and it’s not all about David,” he said, “We’ll have to work as a team. “The game is the most important thing and as a team, we’ll work for each other.”

Obua then paused, looked up and smiled – almost regrettably: “But I will miss Ibra.” Skipper Ibrahim Sekagya will miss the tie through suspension. “I will just go there, have fun and express myself.”

Obua, though, knows the task ahead. “I played against Guinea Bissau and watched them against Angola. They are a tough side. And I think if we win the margin will be small.” Elsewhere, 17 of the 25 summoned players trained yesterday.

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