Uganda Cranes look to home comfort to navigate Afcon qualification final bend


Uganda have not lost an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture in seven years since losing 1-0 to Togo in 2014.
 
The Cranes have since won on seven occasions drawing twice and impressively not conceded a goal in those nine matches.
 
That is the record they will hope to sustain when they entertain Burkina Faso in the penultimate game of the 2021 Afcon qualifier at the St Mary's Stadium in Kitende on Wednesday.
 
The Cranes lie second in the group with seven points, one behind the Burkinabes with whom they played out a goalless draw in Ouagadougou.
 
Victory on Wednesday could see the Cranes progress for a third straight finals appearance depending on results between South Sudan and Malawi.
 
The Cranes will be encouraged having picked maximum points at Kitende in their previous home game, a 1-0 win over South Sudan.
 
A lot has since changed with the Uganda national team now under the tutelage of Abdallah Mubiru following the suspension of Northern Irishman Johnathan Mckinstry.
 
This followed the 1-0 loss to Sudan in the return game with the Cranes also going on to lose all three games at the Chan Championship.
 
Mubiru who is working alongside Livingston Mbabazi and Fred Kajoba has since introduced some new faces to the squad.
 
The team is however still led by goalkeeper Denis Onyango who could see the return of Murushid Jjuuko.
 
The central defender has been in fine form for Betway sponsored side Express in the domestic league and is part of a team that boasts the best defensive record having conceded just seven times in 15 games.
 
He could start alongside either Vipers captain Halid Lwalirwa or Israel-based Timothy Awany who has been struggling with an injury at his club Ashdod.
 
The left-back slot could meanwhile go to Joseph Ochaya ahead of Mustafa Kizza while Elvis Bwomono could be maintained ahead of Nicholas Wadda.
 
With Khalid Aucho suspended, Taddeo Lwanga is expected to start as part of a three-man midfield alongside Mike Azira and Moses Waiswa.
 
Emmanuel Okwi, Farouk Miya, and Fahad Bayo could get the nod up front with Patrick Kaddu, Kizito Luwagga, and Allan Okello all among more offensive options.
 
For Burkina Faso, the two Traores Bertrand and Lassina will be some of the players to look out for alongside captain Charles Kabore who will his 100th cap on the day.
 

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Published: 03/25/2021