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As a country that does not have any stadium that meets the minimum standards to host an AFCON Qualifiers match, what are you going to do at the AFCON? What business do you have there?
It is yet another episode of returning to the proverbial drawing board for the Uganda Cranes following another failed attempt at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Cranes woke up late in the qualifiers and were locked out by neighbours Tanzania despite a rare 2-0 away win against Niger in the last game.
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Understandably, Ugandans have all the attention on head coach Milutin Sredojevic, with many calling for his immediate sacking while others have gone beyond, suggesting his deportation back to Serbia.
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20:03 - 09.09.2023
FOOTBALL Micho to continue as Uganda Cranes coach
Despite the controversy surrounding Micho's tenure, early indications show that he will stay on as Uganda Cranes coach through upcoming challenges on the international stage including the CHAN and 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
It is understandable. Micho is the only national team coach paid by the government, and that means that taxpayers have every right to question him every time results do not come.
There must be value for money. When people look at the Gross pay vs. Net pay, it will obviously trigger them to ask questions and demand answers from those in charge of planning for their taxes.
Micho is reported to be earning a monthly salary of around USD 25,000 (approximately UGX 93.4 million), and for a third-world country like Uganda, such pay must reflect results. We are too poor to be spending big on non-performers.
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Micho returned for his second stint in charge of the Uganda Cranes and signed a three-year contract in July 2021, succeeding Abdallah Mubiru, who had served as an interim coach following Johnathan McKinstry's departure.
And while Uganda has missed out on qualifying for AFCON 2023, the Serbian Wolf still has a running contract until July 2024. Firing him means he would still have to be paid for the remainder of his contract, and that would cost FUFA and Uganda up to USD 225,000 (approximately UGX 832 million).
What is for sure is that Micho might not be the right man to take Uganda forward. The federation has been singing about a team in transition for a while now, and clearly, the Serbian Wolf is not the man for the job.
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10:11 - 09.09.2023
FOOTBALL Start with infrastructure to improve Uganda’s football -says former Uganda Cranes defender
The Cranes only played one qualification match on home soil, the 1-1 draw with Niger, to open the campaign at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
This is no longer the same Cranes team that Micho helped qualify for the AFCON in 2016. Back then, the team was littered with experienced campaigners and big characters.
At the moment, outside team captain Emmanuel Okwi, Khalid Aucho and Faruku Miya, there is little in terms of experience and character.
The much younger Cranes team requires a manager that will empower these technically gifted players and allow them to express themselves. That is not Micho.
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13:40 - 09.09.2023
FOOTBALL Uganda Cranes defender safe after experiencing earthquake in Morocco
Mugabi started for Uganda in the 2-0 win over Niger in Marrakech and was one of the Cranes players waiting to connect back to his club by the time of the earthquake.
But while I agree with whoever wants Micho out, I also know for sure that, as a country, we gave him an excuse to get away with murder.
As a country that does not have any stadium that meets the minimum standards to host an AFCON Qualifiers match, what are you going to do at the AFCON? What business do you have there?
Well, if you are a government official and manage to travel with the team, your per diem will be a reason to celebrate qualification.
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Micho and his team played two home matches miles away from Uganda, in Egypt and Cameroon. And indeed, they lost the two matches, 1-0 to Tanzania and 2-1 to Algeria.
Play those matches in front of a sellout crowd at Namboole, and the story could be different. Uganda has claimed some big scalps at Namboole, and victory would not be assured for Algeria if the Cranes had a 12th man.
Let us start by self-reflecting as a country. If we cannot play matches at home, we cannot compete on the big stage.
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09:15 - 09.09.2023
FOOTBALL Uganda Cranes goalkeeper ready to learn from AFCON Qualification failure
The Cranes defeated Niger in their final match of Group F but fell short after Tanzania forced a goalless draw with Algeria in Algiers to qualify as Group F’s runner-up.
African football is still at a level where teams largely rely on their home matches to qualify. But in a campaign that Uganda won two away matches, it did not have the crowd to push it over the finish line in two supposed home encounters.
There was an even more rigorous call for Micho's dismissal in June following Uganda's 1-0 defeat to Tanzania in Egypt, which put the Cranes' qualification campaign in jeopardy.
But that doubleheader could have sealed the deal for the Cranes. I don't think Tanzania would have come and picked all three points from Namboole.
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11:31 - 08.09.2023
FOOTBALL Whoever is blaming our national team for not qualifying for AFCON is an idiot -comedian Salvado blasts Uganda Cranes fans
Despite Thursday night's 2-0 win over Niger in Marrakech, Morocco, Uganda will not be at the finals slated for early next year in Cote d'Ivoire after finishing third in Group F behind Algeria and Tanzania.
So, before we criticize Micho, let us first focus on those we give our taxes to plan for this country. How come the whole country does not have a stadium that meets the minimum required standards?
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