Micho Sredojevic left the Cranes as a darling after his first spell in 2017. He had earlier ended the country’s 39-year quest for continental football.
The Cranes played at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) for the first time since 1978, a successful route masterminded by the Serbian before he took on a new role at Orlando Pirates in South Africa.
Now back for a second stint on a three-year deal, Micho wants to re-model the Cranes’ style of play beginning with the 2022 Fifa World Cup Qualifiers against Kenya and Mali next month.
“If you want to write, you have to know the alphabet and you want to play, there is a combination needed,” the Serbian said this week.
“There is a certain aspect of movements that have been a problem with us. We need to provide variety in offense to be much more dangerous before the goal. We need to have a good balance in attack and defence as the players improve individually, in departments and as a team,” he said.
In his first stint, the Cranes were largely a defensive unit. Goal keeper Denis Onyango, now retired, often came to the rescue on the occasions including penalties when his defence was breached.
The defence was often solid; with a formidable backline comprising Murushid Juuko, Isaac Isinde and Godfrey Walusimbi.
The pecking order has since changed and for Micho, he cherished a three-man holding midfield with Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito, Hassan Wasswa and Tonny Mawejje playing across the middle of the pack.
With possession, Mawejje would join the forwards but going by Micho’s recent words, he is surely set to adapt another midfield format that can accommodate creative players.
This could be key for Cranes in the long route to Qatar 2022 considering that in the recently failed Afcon campaign, Uganda kept four clean sheets but managed just two goals in six matches of the entire campaign.
2022 FIFA WORLD CUP
AFRICA QUALIFIERS - GROUP E
Sept 2: Kenya vs. Uganda, Nairobi
Sept 6: Uganda vs. Mali, Kitende
CRANES’ FRIENDLIES
Aug 23: Syria vs. Uganda, Jordan
Aug 26: Syria vs. Uganda, Jordan
Aug 29: Ethiopia vs. Uganda, Ethiopia
UGANDA CRANES TECHNICAL TEAM
Head coach: Micho Sredojević
Assistant coach: Moses Basena
Goalkeeping coach: Fred Kajoba Kisitu
Director of performance: Franck Plaine (France)
Video Analyst: Addis Worku (Ethiopian)
Team manager: Geoffrey Massa
Physiotherapist: Ivan Ssewanyana
CRANES’ CAMP
Goalkeepers: Joel Mutakubwa (Express), Charles Lukwago (KCCA), Simon Tamale (Soltilo Bright Stars), Nafian Alionzi (URA)
Defenders: Murushid Juuko (Express), Enock Walusimbi (Express), Arthur Kiggundu (Express), Denis Iguma (KCCA), Innocent Wafula (Mbarara City), Paul Willa (Vipers SC), Eric Ssenjobe (Police), Azizi Kayondo (Vipers), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers), Garvin Kizito Mugweri (SC Villa), Kenneth Ssemakula (SC Villa), Hassan Muhamood (Police)
Midfielders: Muzamiru Mutyaba (Express), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers), Milton Karisa (Vipers SC), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Vipers), Shafik Kuchi Kagimu (URA), Nicholas Kasozi (Kyetume), Abubakar Gift Ali (KCCA)
Forwards: Martin Kizza (Express), Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Unattached), Patrick Henry Kaddu (RS Berkene), Yunus Junior Sentamu (Vipers), Jude Ssemugabi (Mbarara City), Richard Basangwa (Vipers), Steven Dese Mukwala (URA FC)
This writer is a global broadcaster and as well, a scribe with Daily Monitor Newspaper and sports presenter with Radio One FM 90 in Kampala. Follow him on Twitter: @AllanDarren and his Facebook Page: Darren Allan Kyeyune