Mark Ssali
31 May 2011
It is Uganda Cranes week and all else, from the hooting campaign through Museveni’s cabinet to former VP Gilbert Bukenya’s tribulations, take a back seat.
It has been said that when it comes to working up the excitement before an international, Uganda betters even the masters of hype – England. Should the English pick up a Ugandan paper or tune into a Ugandan FM station this week however, they too will be awed by the hysterics. We whip ourselves into a frenzy whenever the Cranes are called into action, this time more than before because there is more cause for elation than the usual hope and optimism.
The situation however presents Bobby Williamson with a serious challenge though. Ideally he would have few issues motivating his team for a home game against Angola, rivals Kenya or a continental powerhouse from West or North Africa, but this weekend’s opponents Guinea Bissau don’t fall in that category.
With a first appearance at a Nations Cup finals all but beckoning motivation should not be so much an issue, but Williamson has to guard his players against the attitude of the rest of the fraternity who consider this game already won. There is work to be done before the celebrations and this complacency belongs in the stands, not the pitch.
Little faith
Only last week I said here that I wouldn’t hold my breath over the impending arrival of the arbitrator Dr Bessalem Abdellah, due in from AIBA to sort out Ugandan boxing. Turns out that he didn’t even show and the reasons range from the Ebola scare to the man not even being aware that he had a mission in Uganda, depending on who you choose to listen to.
Not surprising at all for me as I have confessed to having no faith in the processes of conflict resolution as put in place by the international bodies that govern sport.
Try the crisis brewing at FIFA at present. Mohammed bin Hammam and Sepp Blatter throw accusations and counter accusations of bribery and corruption at each other, and a committee endorsed by Blatter himself exonerates the all-powerful incumbent, while suspending a rival already in submission.
Hammam would have seen it coming, and he and his inner core of supporters can still do something about it because they are insiders, but imagine how powerless and hopeless a rank outsider would be in waiting for justice. These bodies are pretty much the same, and while I wouldn’t begrudge Godfrey Nyakana and others in the midst of the boxing row living in hope, I am not a believer myself.
Barca debate
Barcelona slammed yet another exclamation mark on their legacy with the manner of their victory over Man United at Wembley on Saturday, and Sir Alex Ferguson is not the only one absolutely convinced that we are in the presence of greatness. Game by game, weekend by weekend, and with the consideration that this is the third season running, Barca are the best footballing side I have seen.
In light of the declarations being thrown about though, however justified, I feel there is a need for perspective even if my calls will most likely fall on the deaf ears of a global populace more mesmerised than Fergie and his men were traumatised.
The distinction between best footballing side and greatest needs to be made, and while this Barca would probably come out on top in both, there needs to be a debate at least for the latter category. The Real Madrid of the 50s, the Ajax of the early 70s, the Bayern of he mid 70s, the Liverpool of the late 70s and the Barca Dream team of the early 90s should come into the debate before being dismissed.
Before you argue, imagine what you would feels 30 years from now if your grandsons declared an unstoppable team of the time (and there will be one) as ‘greatest ever’ before checking the archives for footage of this current Barca.
AllAfrica – All the Time