Every Cranes fans has reason to cheer up – the task ahead, yes looks a big one, but very achievable! For as long the Cranes avoid defeat against Guinea in Casablanca, Morocco on Wednesday night, Uganda will be through to the 2015 Nations Cup, 36 years after we last made appearance at Africa’s biggest football show- piece. What you need to know: The 1-0 win against Ghana on Saturday evening means Cranes have seven points and sit second ahead of Guinea on goal-difference with one game to play. Guinea will pose a threat, a big one come Wednesday night – forget the fact that the game will be played on neutral ground due to the Ebola outbreak in the country. The “Syli nationale” thumped Togo 4-1 in Lome, and will be on a mission to beat Uganda in Casablanca, Morocco to seal a berth at the championship that will be held in Equatorial Guinea in January 2015. The only positive going into this encounter is that regardless of what happens in Tamale, Cranes need a draw against Guinea to make it to the finals. A draw will take Uganda to eight points, level with Guinea. But, Guinea remains below Uganda – 1. On goal difference and 2. On head-to-head stats (A win and Draw for Cranes against Guinea). If Ghana wins, they will go to eleven points and maintain their first place, leaving Cranes in second place, provided the game between Uganda and Guinea ends in a draw. And if by any chance Togo beats Ghana in Tamale, they will go to nine points and lead Group E – and this will spell trouble for the Black Stars. As recently announced by Caf, group standings during qualifications are determined by goal-difference. Meaning after all games are played, teams tied on points will be separated by head-to-head, a big advantage for Cranes based on fact that we would have (if we draw against Guinea) drawn and won against both Ghana and Guinea over two legs. And because Uganda has a better head-to-head over Ghana, being equal on eight points would see Cranes go above the Black Stars into second place on the final log reading. Ghana would drop to third and Guinea to fourth because the former has a better head-to-head over the latter – i know, “too much mathematics.” However, all this will not come to question if Cranes beats Guinea – a straight win for Uganda will automatically see them in Equatorial Guinea regardless of the result in Tamale. Looks like this is Cranes chance to blow – the odds favour us. Can the team stand up to the occasion when it matters? I think they do. They did so against Ghana, and why not when it matters most! Like coach Milutin ‘Micho‘ Sredojevic said, “this game can change the fortunes and destiny of these players’ careers.” The players know what is at stake, and will surely go for it! At last, looks like the wait is finally coming to an end! Come on you Cranes! #Moses_Okumu.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 13:01:52 +0000
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