Uganda Cranes confront Egypt, Ghana tackle Mali

What you need to know:

  • Black Stars eye quarter-final slot with a match to spare
  • Uganda must beat Pharaohs to retain hopes of advancing from Group D

IN PORT-GENTIL, GABON

Ghana can reach the quarter-finals of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations with a group game to spare if they beat Mali in Group D in Port-Gentil on Saturday, while Uganda play Egypt in the other group match.

Uganda and Egypt might be 2,057 miles apart but there is more that keeps these two countries close. The River Nile that is the food and soul for the Egyptians has its source in Uganda. Not even Saturday night’s 90-minute duel at Stade de Port Gentil will threaten that relationship.

It is that strong a bond, whether borne of convenience or necessity, that keeps them together.

Yet the two teams share so little in the tournament they will be competing in on Saturday. Egypt are seven-time African champions but are only returning to the event for the first time since 2010, while Uganda are only making a comeback to the event after a four-decade absence.

Egyptians are known for quick, attacking football while Uganda boast mainly of grit and team effort. Uganda have been victims of Egypt’s brand of football so much the count is 13 defeats in 17 meetings. The Cranes’ only victory was a 5-1 trouncing of the Pharaohs in a 1965 friendly.

 The two come against each other again tonight at a time everyone means business. Egypt, having managed only a goalless draw against Mali, have to win tonight if they are to go into the final Group D match against Ghana with momentum.

Uganda, coming off a 1-0 defeat to Ghana, are also aware that for them to travel to Oyem with a fighting chance of progressing, they must beat Egypt for the first time in 52 years.

The Cranes believe. Micho, too, believes. “Like I have always said,” the Serbian told Saturday Nation Sport, “International football is like Formula One. In the circumstances even against Ghana, we have kept the standards. When you look at Ghana players and the clubs they play in (most play in Europe, with West Ham’s Andre Ayew their headline) and where ours play, you can see. But we have managed to live with them. “Now, to Egypt – yes I know they have a very good history and tradition against us but we shall go for the result.

“We have seen them play, they have seen us play. We both haven’t given our best against Ghana and Mali."  “But for us now we have switched from previous results and traditions against Egypt."

"This is a new team and we are focused on today, not what happened before.”

Much as a lot is talked about Egypt’s class, it should be noted that almost the entire team is making their first Nations Cup finals. Only goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary and Ahmed Ahmed Fathi have been here before.

Micho is expected to make about four changes from the team that started against Ghana, with Mrushind Juuko returning to central defence – most likely at the expense of Isaac Isinde -, and Khalid Aucho also coming back from suspension.
 Uganda’s probable XI
D. Onyango, D. Guma, H. Wasswa, M. Juuko, J.  Ochaya, B. Kizito, K. Aucho, T. Mawejje, F. Miya, K. Luwagga, G. Massa
Substitutes: R. Odongkara, S. Jamal, .N Wadada, S. Batambuze, M. Oloya, G. Walusimbi, T. Awany, M. Azira, Y. Sentamu, G. Sserunkuma, M. Shaban