Uganda Cranes Head Coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojovic has hailed the far the team has reached in their quest for Nations Cup return as a cocktail of sleepless nights, long hard working days and respectful environment.
Two days after downing Botswana 2-1 away at Francistown Stadium in an AFCON 2017 qualifier which they couldn’t afford to lose, the Serbian told Soka25est.com it’s not yet time to pop the champagne as they still have a huge responsibility to actualize the dream to reach the continent’s biggest football bonanza for the first time since 1978.
Micho was full of kind words for his charges whom he commended for staying true to his instructions – and gifting him with two away goals for the fist time in his three years tenure as Cranes Coach. He singled out assists from Tony Mawejje and Denis Iguma as ‘soul food’.
‘It was a culmination of may sleepless nights and hard working days with respectful people around me. Remember the biggest pride of a coach is when he analyses opponents, sees their weaknesses, put demands in training and gets respected by his players by scoring two goals that in fifteen years as a supporter of Cranes I have not seen or even in my three years as a coach,’ Micho said.
‘Tony Mawejje pass to Luwagga Kizito for the first goal and Dannis Iguma’s to Khalid Aucho for the second are soul food to me – a payback for the hardships I have endured as Cranes coach in a country that has 39 million knowledgeable coaches and yet in 39 years they have not been to AFCON. And high demands like Brazil’s with little support.’ He added.
Uganda who are joint top of group ‘D’ with ten points same to Burkina Faso who have a superior goal difference, will have to win their last qualifier in September against Comoros at Namboole to stand a chance of reaching Gabon at least as one of the two best qualifiers.
‘I can’t change anything but we will continue to pursue my dream that is 90 minutes away.’
Asked if they are under any pressure like in the last two qualifiers when they crumbled on the last day, Micho had this to say; ‘No pressure on us, just a huge responsibility not to be like a cow that produces 10 litres of milk through blood and sweat only to pour all down,’
‘Self respect needs to be our identity now. While supporters are exited now and rightly so, for me I have forgotten the win and the struggle, sacrifice and the suffering continues.’
The former Rwanda and Orland Pirates gaffer has vowed to do everything within his means to ensure Uganda breaks the 39 years old jinx and makes it to Gabon 2017.
‘As a human and as a coach, I will do anything possible so that come 3rd September at Namboole, the 39 million Ugandans will celebrate the breaking of the long standing jinx.’ He concluded.
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