12th November 2015 – Togo Vs Uganda – Lome, Togo

15th November 2015 –Uganda Vs Uganda – Nelson MandelaNational Stadium, Kampala

The Uganda Cranes begin the road to qualification for their maiden World Cup finals with an away date against Togo on Thursday November 12 in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Three days later, they will host the Sparrow Hawks at Namboole stadium aiming to finish the job and join the group stages.

Uganda Cranes double 1-0 losses to the Sparrow Hawks in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers are the recent pain that the West African country has inflicted in the hearts of Ugandans as far as the game of football is concerned.

A first leg 0-1 home loss thanks to right-back Donou Kokou ’s   strike in the 35^th of the game, characterized by boos from spectators towards chief guest Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda who had decided to read a long speech something unusual in world football, marked the loss of a 10 year un beaten ‘virginity’ for the Cranes at Nambole.

An identical away result between the two sides in less than a week meant the CECAFA nation had then gone six games in all competitions minus a win against the Togo.

Although it remains a tall order for the Cranes ahead of another back to back twin encounters against the same team, Micho and his team may have some positives to lean on.

The 0-1 win away win against the 2013 Africa soccer kings Nigeria (international friendly) coupled with the recent identical victory in Comoros (AFCON Qualifiers 2017) and back to back CHAN away triumphs over fellow CECAFA members Tanzania and Sudan respectively may imply that the Cranes have matured, gained belief and confidence within themselves and can challenge any body at any turf.

Denis Onyango (GK), Denis Iguma, Godfrey Walusimbi, Geoffrey Massa, William Luwagga Kizito, Aucho Khalid, Tonny Mawejje, Robert Odongkara (GK), Isaac Isinde , Brian Umony, are some of the Uganda Cranes’ soldiers’ who have once tasted Togo’s bite and wouldn’t want to go through the same pain.

Geoffrey Massa who wore the captain’s arm band in place of suspended Andrew Mwesigwa in the 1-0 loss in 2014 goes back to same territory fully in charge and geared to re-write history.

‘’ We have to play to our optimal best if we want to win the first leg because there are no more minnows in football. People might say it’s just Togo, we are better than them in Fifa’s latest ranking. They might look weak on paper but I can assure you it is nothing like that. We have to be at our best, respect them as we should but put in our very best. I believe we have the team to get a result in Togo. If we get a good result against them it will boost our confidence going into the second leg’’. He told the federation’s website on Monday.

“We lost twice to Togo last year in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers but we are happy that we shall face them again because we know about them,” Uganda Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic said after learning of news of Uganda drawing its perennial conquerors.

Team News:

Togo:

The biggest news from Togo is that the team is missing experienced striker, Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor, who has been out of action since he was released by English side Tottenham Hot Spurs.

Tom Sainfiet, the Belgian born Togolese national team head coach also summoned a defender based in Uganda’s neighbouring Tanzania with giants, Yanga Africans football club – Vincent Bossou.

The Cranes also have one of their strikers Hamis ‘Diego’ Kiiza plying his semi- professional trade in the same country.

Togo Team:

Goalkeepers: Cedric Mensah,Djehani Nguissan,
Yakobou Nourodin

Defenders: Mamah Gafar, Serge Akakpo, Mawouna Amevor
Djene Dakonam, Donou Kokou, Nawoklo Kossivi, Sadat Ouro Akoriko,
Vincent Bossou, Dadzie Kodjovi

Midfielders: Romao Alaixys, Floyd Ayite, Dove Wome, Henritse Eninful
Lalawele Atakora, Mathieu Dossevi, Serge Gakpe

Strikers: Jonathan Ayite, Mawuena Kwame , Camaldine Abraw.
Placca Fessou

Uganda Cranes:

No injury worries as South African based Ivan Bukenya who had been a doubt due to a hamstring was passed fit by the team medical team.

The team led by FUFA Technical Chairman Hamid Juma departs for Lome in the wee hours of Wednesday morning (4 am) aboard a chartered flight (F-100 Reg 5Y-SIA)in a buoyant mood.

Coach Micho who said he was impressed with the team’s commitment and determination ahead of the crunch tie now faces a huge task of naming his first 11.

‘’I’m really impressed with player’s dedication and commitment they have exhibited since we started training on Friday. I beg my players not fear Togo but respect them! These are human beings like anyone else’’. Micho said.
‘’We know them and we know they will want to attack more in order to finish the game there.
I just hope we rise up to the challenge on Thursday’’. He added.

Micho has two options in Murushid Jjuuko and Ivan Bukenya to choose someone to partner Isaac Isinde but it will be a tough choice to make.

It is not known whether he will settle for the big Bukenya or hand Jjuuko his second cap after successively partnering Isinde in Comoros in the AFCON qualifiers.

The Serb will also have a tough choice to make up front on who will partner captain Geoffrey Massa who is expected to lead the hunt for goal.

Will he choose between in form and experienced Tanzania based Hamis Kiiza and regular Cranes figure Brian Umony in a traditional 4-4-2 or use a lone striker in Massa Geoffrey to accommodate midfielders Kizito Luwagga, Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito, Khalid Aucho and Tony Mawejje in a typical away playing format?

The availability of enterprising Moses Oloya and Farouk Miya toughens things the more fore Cranes tactician.

Like Baba, Oloya has been out of the team for quite a long time but he is rich in experience whereas Miya has been improving since his first cap.

Man to Watch – Tony Mawejje

The experienced midfielder was one of Uganda’s best players in the double losses aginst the West Africans and will be vital if Cranes are to leave Lome with a decent result.

The former Masaka LC FC player, who scored the solitary goal that earned the Cranes three points in The Comoros, will again be tasked with linking defence and the striking line and his short and long range passes will be much needed to split the vigilant Togo backline.

Uganda Cranes Probable XI:

Denis Onyango (GK), Denis Iguma, Isaac Isinde, Ivan Bukenya, Godfrey Walusimbi, Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito, Aucho Khalid, Tony Mawejje, Moses Oloya, William Luwagga Kizito and Geoffrey Massa.

Substitutes:

Robert Odongkara (GK), Hamis ‘Diego’ Kizza, Brian Umony, Ceaser Okhuti, Murushid Jjuuko, Farouk Miya and Joseph Ocaya.

HEAD TO HEAD STATISTICS

(Uganda Wins 0, Togo Wins 4, Draws 2)
14/7/1965. African Games             Togo 1-1 Uganda
21/11/1965. International Friendly   Togo 1-1 Uganda
8/10/2000. AFCON Qualifiers:       Togo 3-0 Uganda
2/6/2001. AFCON Qualifiers:       Uganda 0-3 Togo

11/10/2014 AFCON Qualifiers:     Uganda 0-1 Togo

15/10/2014 AFCON Qualifiers;   Togo 1-0 Uganda

Before the second round, the lowest ranked 26 teams that were paired against each other faced off in the first round in October.

The 13 winners from the first round and the 27 other countries are competing in two-leg ties with winners progressing to a group stage. African champions Cote d’Ivoire will wait to face the winner between Liberia and Guinea Bissau in the second round.

Five nations are expected to qualify from the African continent for the 2018 FIFA World Cup to take place in Russia. Germany is the defending champion.

Match Facts:

Togo has never lost to Uganda in any football game.

The Togolese have scored nine goals in six matches against Uganda’s minimal two.

Togo was part of the 2006 Germany FIFA World Cup while Uganda has never qualified for the event.

Uganda’s last visit to Lome was on 15 October 2014 in the 2015 AFCON Qualifiers and ended in a 1-0 loss.