Uganda play the second of their two build-up games against Saudi Arabia this evening with head coach Morley Byekwaso intent on giving every one of his 2 3-man squads playing time.
The team, composed of majorly national Under-23 players (Kobs) is preparing for the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup that is expected to start on July 17 in Ethiopia.
Having played out a goalless draw in Friday’s first game, Byekwaso believes he should make changes for another encounter at the Prince Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Stadium.
“Of course, changes must be made. We have to try out all players and also improve everyone’s match fitness level going into the Cecafa tournament."
"We have to go into the tournament when we know everyone’s situation,” opined Byekwaso before the team’s final training session on Sunday.
The coach also expects to see an improvement from his team following Friday’s performance that he believes was affected by the intense heat in the Middle Eastern nation.
“Due to the heat, the players did not perform to the best of our expectations. But we think our second game will be very good because we will have acclimatized to this weather,” Byekwaso projected.
He also praised the team’s defensive effort from the first game that saw them keep the hosts at bay throughout the encounter.
“I want to appreciate the players who played under these circumstances of too much heat. They made us proud."
"They were committed. Although we missed two keeper-to-beat chances the opponents also played well and created more chances."
"We worked a lot on our defensive qualities. We showed that we can be good in that area,” he explained.
Enoch Walusimbi who is also Express captain leads the team that includes 10 players promoted from the national under-20 team that Byekwaso guided to the final of the Afcon Under-20 tournament in March.
International Build up
Monday, 5th July 2021: Saudi Arabia Vs Uganda
At Prince Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Stadium, Riyadh (7 PM)
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