Uganda Cranes last featured in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 1978 losing to host Ghana in the final.

The Unpredictable nature of the beautiful game happened on Thursday 24 when little known Comoros stunned Botswana 1-0 at Stade Mohammed Cheikh in Mitsamiouli.

This means group “D” leaders Uganda Cranes go into their crunch tie away in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso with an healthy three points gab at the top and less pressure on their backs.

Cranes are known to crumble under last minute pressure if the last two AFCON Qualifiers are anything to by, and Coach Milutin “Micho” Ssredojovic has said before that he wants an early run to diffuse such pressures.

A win on Saturday 26 in the two legged fixture will go along way in this regard, having in mind that the West Africans are no pushovers; and avoiding a loss presents a better fighting chance four days later at the Namboole, Kampala fortress.

Second placed Burkna Faso have won one match and lost the other – they beat Comoros 2-0 before falling to Botswana 1-0. Uganda on the other hand are yet to taste defeat in the campaign; they thrashed Botswana 3-0 before edging out Comoros 1-0.

Under “Micho” , Uganda Cranes has gradually metamorphosed into a solid outfit ready to take on Africa. The team is currently ranked 67th by FIFA, the highest position for any team in the entire Eastern Africa region; they are also the only team in the region still in contention for a spot at the Russia 2018 World Cup.

With exciting talent like Faruk Miya (Standard Lierge – Belgium), shot stopper Dennis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns) arguably one of the best keepers in Africa, Khalid Aucho and Godfrey Walusimbi (Gor Mahia), Denis Iguma (Al Ahed), Godfrey Massa (Bloemfontein Celtic)…the team has the right ingredients to succeed this time and cut the long wait to the continent’s biggest football celebration.

@bonfaceosano