Uganda: Kobs Get Inspiration From Cranes

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BuaNews (Tshwane) 27 June 2011 Pretoria — The South African under-23 team intensified their bid to qualify for the All Africa Games when they beat Zimbabwe 2-0 in the first leg of the qualifier match on Saturday at Sinaba Stadium. South Africa won, thanks to two goals in each half, courtesy of striker Bongani Ndulula, taking his tally to 15 goals in 14 matches. Amaglug-glug continued with their good run of form, as the victory comes just a week after beating Benin 5-1 in an Olympic Games qualifier

The Monitor (Kampala)

James Ssekandi

25 June 2011

Uganda’s junior team, the Kobs, will pick inspiration from their seniors, Cranes, when they take on Kenya at Nyayo Stadium in an All Africa Games qualifier tomorrow.

Owen Kasule, captain of the U-23 side and a member of the Cranes, believes that Kobs should be spurred by Uganda’s current form in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Cranes secured a point away in Nairobi last year and now lead Group J on 10 points with Kenya (four points) languishing in third place.

“The belief in the Cranes camp is incredible. You just have to admire the togetherness and pick a leaf,” Kasule told Saturday Monitor. Along with U-23 teammates winger Mike Mutyaba, striker Hamis Kiiza and defender Dennis Guma, Kasule has learnt a lot in working with national skipper Ibrahim Sekagya.

“On Sunday (tomorrow) we must work twice as hard for each other to pick something in Nairobi,” he added. Ideally, avoiding defeat of a huge margin and getting some away goals is what Kobs assistant George Ssimwogerere will demand from his players.

Ssimwogerere believes the current crop has the maturity to qualify for the Games due September in Maputo, Mozambique.

“Over two legs, this Kobs side has lots of experienced players to progress,” Ssimwogerere noted. Uganda last featured in the 1999 edition, losing 2-0 to hosts South Africa in the semifinal while Kenya’s previous appearance was in 1987 as hosts.

To earn a date with Kenya, Kobs eliminated Tanzania’s Manyara Stars 5-2 on aggregate with Kiiza scoring three goals over the two legs. Kenya are here at the expense of Eritrea, who won the first leg 4-1 in Asmara before failing to travel for the return leg. The winner will represent Africa Zone 5 in Maputo.

Kobs travelling team

Goalkeepers: A. Kimera, J. Sebuliba,

Defenders: D. Guma, R. Seku,

S. Mpiima, A. Kisalita, H. Kavuma,

S. Okello

Midfielders: O. Kasule, P. Senfuka,

M. Mutyaba, B. Majwega, G. Kizito,

M. Oloya, S. Juma

Strikers: E. Okwi, H. Kiiza, P. Edema

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Uganda: Kobs Get Inspiration From Cranes