Uganda Cranes and the Black Stars of Ghana lock horns at Mandela National stadium, Namboole in a fixture that will determine their 2018 FIFA World Cup fate.
The two teams need nothing but victory if they are to keep their chances of making it to Russia.
With 7 points and two adrift of leaders Egypt, Uganda must beat the Black Stars to go ahead of the Pharaohs who host Congo Brazzaville 24 hours later.
For Ghana, a win will see them leapfrog Uganda in second with 8 points but their chances will depend on Egypt losing to Congo Brazzaville in Alexandria.
Moses Basena, the Uganda Cranes coach believes the 2-1 loss to Madagascar in a practice match on Wednesday showed him areas to rectify.
“The general performance was good only that those lapses when you don’t concentrate defensively teams at this level punish you,” said Basena in the aftermath of the loss to Madagascar. “When we didn’t defend very well on the right flank,” he said.
On arrival from Kenya where the team had camped, Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah said they are here to play well.
“We are happy to have traveled well. We had a good training camp in Kenya and we are here to play well against Uganda.”
Team News
Murushid Jjuuko and Khalid Aucho suspended while midfielder Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito will miss through injury he sustained on club duty.
The good news though is the return of midfield gem Tonny Mawejje who has been out of the team since the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
For the visitors, almost all the entire first team is out with the Ayew brothers, Captain Asamoah Gyan, defenders Harrison Afful and John Boye all out.
The latest to join the injury list is Newcastle midfielder Christian Atsu who opted out as well due to injury.
From the first team, only Leicester City midfielder Daniel Amartey and Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey are available for selection.
Tonny Mawejje is arguably the most experienced outfield player on the team and his performances against Black Stars have always been phenomenon. He will be key if Uganda is to earn a decent result.
Thomas Partey has been in fine form for Diego Simeon’s charges and his hat trick also sunk Congo on his last outing for the four time champions. If he is in mood, he will trouble the Uganda Cranes through the middle.
Key Stats
- Uganda has won 3, lost 7 and drawn 4 of the meetings with Ghana Black Stars
- Ghana and Uganda have met three times in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers – Ghana has won once and the rest have been draws.
- Uganda has never lost a home game to Ghana
Uganda Cranes Probable XI
Denis Onyango (GK), Denis Iguma, Isaac Isinde, Savio Kabugo, Godfrey Walusimbi, Hassan Wasswa, Tonny Mawejje, Farouk Miya, Emmanuel Okwi, Derrick Nsibambi and Joseph Ochaya.
Source:Kawowo
