Uganda coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojovic is calling for early preparations ahead of Gabon 2017 AFCON.
Uganda pooled four-time champions Ghana, record holders Egypt (7 titles) and Mali, in group “D”, which the Serbian termed “competitive and tough”, but he holds with early preparations, “nothing is impossible in football.”
“Ghana were finalists in Equatorial Guinea 2015 losing to Ivory Coast on penalties. Egypt is a very hungry nation, having missed the last three AFCON finals after previously winning it thrice consecutively. Mali on the other hand have been two times third in the last three AFCONs; so I would say the group is very competitive and tough,” Micho said after yesterday’s draw in Libreville, Gabon.
“We need to start preparations now, and with love, support and prayers of all Ugandans, and responsible people, we will be able to mould a competitive teame. Here I’m thinking of friendly matches where we shall take care of every detail. I believe, in football impossible is nothing, and possible is everything,” he added.
Uganda already locked horns with Ghana in their opening group “E” of 2018 World Cup qualifier, early October, in Tamale – managing to pick a barren draw in a group that also includes Egypt.
In the lead up to the 2015 AFCON, the Cranes edged the Black Stars 1-0 in Kampala, after losing the first leg in Accra through a penalty, in what points at a narrowing gap between the two.
“I believe in the team and the players we are having, I believe in work we are doing, and I also believe that Uganda government will come across, and help us so that we represent the country in best possible way.”
When Uganda last graced the biggest continental football stage 39 years back in 1978, they shockingly went all the way – losing to Ghana 2-0 in the final.
They will kick-off the big return on January 17 in Port Gentil against Ghana, then play Egypt on January 21 in the same town, before finishing their preliminary round against Mali, in Oyem, on January 25.
The Groups:
GROUP A: Gabon, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Guinea Bissau
GROUP B: Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal, Zimbabwe
GROUP C : Cote D’Ivoire, DR Congo, Morocco, Togo
GROUP D : Ghana, Mali, Egypt, Uganda
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