Thursday, November 12
*Uganda Cranes Vs South Sudan – 4pm
(St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende)
Match Preview:
Uganda Cranes Coach Jonathan Mckinstry and captain Denis Onyango speaking about the game, both highlighted the need to take the opponents seriously.
South Sudan is Coached by Ashu Cyprian Besongois a German football manager of Cameroonian descent.
Ashu Cyprian Besongo n 2005, he was a coach at Welwyn Garden City. He was a U21 assistant coach at Leicester City F.C.
In July 2019, he was appointed as manager of the South Sudan national football team.
South Sudan is Captained by Juma Genaro Awad who plays as a goalkeeper.He made his debut versus Uganda on 10 July 2012.
In 2005, he was a coach at Welwyn Garden City. He was a U21 assistant coach at Leicester City F.C.
In July 2019, he was appointed as manager of the South Sudan national football team.
Cranes top Group B with four points, and maximum points on Thursday and in the return leg in Kenya next Monday, will all but guarantee the team’s spot in the AFCON finals for a third straight campaign.
Uganda Cranes is ranked ranked 76 in the FIFA Rankings which were released on (22nd October 2020)
South Sudan, ranked a lowly 168 in FIFA Rankings, will seek to capitalise on their inferior status to cause an upset against a neighbour they pretend to know.
Nicknamed Bright Stars, South Sudan is a young nation that was officially admitted as both a CAF and FIFA member in 2012.
They played their first international match against Uganda on July 10, 2012, ending 2-2 in Juba, and they will be hoping for a repeat in history at least.
The side will be hoping for the best especially from the ‘familiar faces’ like Tito Okello aformer SC Vipers player who plays for Gormahia FC in Kenya, Makueth Wol Akeen Nguet of Mbarara City FC, and Ivan Wani of Busoga United FC,who have had stints in Uganda Premier League and have Uganda roots as well.
