Uganda head tactician Milutin “Micho” Sredojovic is taking it easy ahead of their Sunday tie against Kenya in the regional showpiece set for Ethiopia starting Saturday 22 in the capital Addis Ababa saying his charges have thus far hit their competitive goals.

Cranes stand tall in the CECAFA region as the only team still in contention for the five available slots for Africa in the 2018 FIFA World Cup to be hosted in Russia – they knocked out Togo on 4-0 aggregate to reach the group stage of the qualifiers.

“We are the only country in the CECAFA region that has achieved all their competitive targets. We are in the top twenty of the World Cup qualifiers, we lead in the AFCON 2017 qualifiers and we are through to 2016 CHAN finals,” Micho boasted.

“So we are going to CECAFA relaxed and with no pressure. All pressure is on our opponents including defending champions Kenya,” he added.

Baptized “Migingo Derby” the clash between the two neighbors has in the past been fueled by an eternal rivalry on who is the boss in this region in terms of the beautiful game. While Harambee Stars have been on the decline, Cranes’ star has continued to shine lately under Micho, but he will not be underrating them based on their current form.

“We have great respect for Kenyan football team and coaches and we will not underrate anyone,” Micho continued.

Asked whether Kenya’s recent bungled campaign in the World Cup Qualifiers which saw the Harambee Stars arrive few hours for their return leg match against Cape Verde away in Praia only to be beaten 2-0 would work to their advantage, Micho was categorical.

“To the contrary, the unfortunate situation will work as a motivation to them as they would want to prove that only poor treatment stopped them from reaching the group stage of the World Cup Qualifiers. The fact that majority of the players who were part of the squad which beat Cape Verde 1-0 at are coming for CECAFA is also a huge advantage to them,”

Uganda will be bringing majorly local based players for the tournament which they last won in 2012 after a 2-1 win over Kenya to give the home boys international exposure.

“We are coming with ninety five percent local based team so that we can develop them in high international matches to widen the pool of players to choose from in the AFCON and World Cup Qualifiers.” Micho concluded.

Kenya won the last edition of the Senior Challenge they hosted in 2013 after beating Sudan 2-0 in the final – the tournament was however not hosted in 2014 as the would be host Ethiopia pulled out at the last minute.
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Bonface Osano

African Football Writer contributing @Soka25east | Commentator; appeared on @MySoccerAfrica, @KweseSports, @ntvkenya, others | Keen follower of African Football. E-mail: bonfaceosano@gmail.com