Key Battle Lines At Namboole

Andrew Mwanguhya

4 June 2011

Kampala — Prior to confronting Guinea Bissau on March 26 at Lino Correia Stadium, Uganda had scanty knowledge, if any, on these secret Djurtus, as they are called.

Less surprising given that before their 1-0 win and similar scoreline loss against Kenya and Angola respectively in their opening two games, Guinea Bissau had last played an official Fifa match in December 2007.

Even finding latest news about them is as difficult as stopping Lionel Messi. They are so secretive that Fufa only got official confirmation from them about their arrival on Wednesday, two days before the crucial 2012 Nations Cup qualifier at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole today.

No wonder Bobby Williamson and his men had to improvise by training from Senegal – Bissau’ neighbours – so as to get a sense of what awaited them.

But thanks to search engine Google that at least Guinea Bissau’s Nations Cup qualification record can be accessed, with outlines such as – Did not enter, did not qualify, withdrew in qualifying, banned, et cetera prominent.

Nonetheless, the 1978 losing finalists in Ghana, themselves are still labouring to grace the event again, three decades on. Currently placed 136th in the latest Fifa rankings, a massive 52 places below Uganda, you could arguably dismiss the Djurtus as lightweights. But at your own peril as Uganda’s laboured 1-0 win in Bissau – the first qualifying victory on away soil since 2001 – proved.

Guinea Bissau lie third on three points, together with Angola. Uganda will look to strengthening the grip atop the pool they lead with seven points and Kenya on four after three games.

Most of the Guinea Bissau players went through Portugal U19 or U21 squads with others plying their trade in France, Sweden, Romania and Serbia. But so are Cranes who have stars in Serbia, Scotland, Iceland and Austria.

And the beautiful thing now is they are not that mysterious after all. “I played against them and watched them against Angola. They are a tough side,” said Cranes talisman David Obua, “But we are confident we will win.”

More than anyone else, Bobby also knows the danger they poses but prefers to concentrate on his task other than the opponents’. “Guinea Bissau are a strong side and we have to respect them. But truthfully I don’t bother myself with the other team. I concentrate on what my players can do.” Below we explore where serious skirmishes could take place.

Nene v Massa/Obua

Nene has immeasurable experience from playing at Portuguese Second Division clubs Sintrense, Lisbone, Oriental, Pinhalnovense, Olivais and currently Belenenses.

But the 37-year-old goalkeeper is said to have been on the nerves against the Cranes, a reason he could see Benfica de Bissau shot-stopper, Iano, reclaim his slot between the sticks. But no matter who in the visitors’ goal, Geoffrey Massa and Obua should bury any chances that come to stamp authority early.

Bobby will be counting on Massa’s tireless runs and Obua’s decisiveness. But before they reach Iano/Nene, Uganda’s attacking cast that will also include either Joseph Kabagambe or Vincent Kayizzi on the right, and Steven Bengo, Godfrey Walusimbi or Mike Mutyaba on the left, will have take care of first things first.

They will have to first deal with a fighter in Hammarby IF’s Jose Monteiro, FCM Târgu Mures’ Bruno Fernandes, nagging centre back in FC Portal B’s 19-year-old Bacari Balde and Club Covilha’s dangerman Zezinho.

Mudde/Mawejje v Moreira/ Bocundjica

These two will definitely start in the middle today. Mudde will have to protect his back four and cover for Tonny Mawejje, who will occasionally probe with telling runs into the opposition territory. The duo were most of the time pegged back in Bissau and denied their attacking prowess by Zezinho and French side Tours’ Bocundjica’s tenacity. Bobby will demand more of the duo in terms of going forward, this being a home game.

Mwesigwa/Isinde (Wasswa or Kalungi) v Dionisio/Cicero

If there is one player with an iron heart in this Ugandan side, it’s Andy Mwesigwa. He is the nails strikers to painfully land on while calmness personified skipper Ibrahim Sekagya ensures sanity in the area. But here is the puzzle, one Bobby and whoever is given this herculean assignment of replacing inspirational and suspended skipper Sekagya.

Sekagya is part of the Cranes side that have kept clean sheets in all their opening three games, with Dennis Onyango’s super human works between the sticks completing the impregnable back four. But today, whoever is selected between Hassan Wasswa, Isaac Isinde and Henry Kalungi, will have to thwart ruthless Portuguese Premier League club Rio Ave striker Cicero Casimiro, 24.

Cicero scored in Guinea Bissau’s 3-1 away friendly win in Gambia on February 9 and his movement could cause concern. They will also have to stop Dionisio Fernandes Mendes, 29. Dionisio is a midfielder who always hurts from deep. The Portuguese Div 11 side Torreense forward scored against Kenya last October and should be kept quiet today if Uganda are dispatch the Bissauans.

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