Mental strength, character will be critical for Cranes against Algeria

Allan Okello during a Cranes training session /FUFA Media

FOOTBALL Mental strength, character will be critical for Cranes against Algeria

Peter Tabu • 12:37 - 02.06.2023

Manchester City's Riyad Mahreez, Westham's Said Benrahma, Angers' Nabil Bentaleb and Anderlecht's Islam Slimani are some big names set to face the Cranes.

Uganda Cranes midfielder Allan Okello is not about to be intimidated by the A-list players' names summoned to the Algerian squad.

Manchester City's Riyad Mahreez, Westham's Said Benrahma, Angers' Nabil Bentaleb and Anderlecht's Islam Slimani are some big names set to face the Cranes.

"All the players in camp are at their best; remember, some of us were competing for the title at our respective clubs, so we are in shape ahead of the Algeria game," Okello told FUFA Media ahead of the June 18th encounter.

"Their (Algeria) squad is good, but it doesn't matter who they call or who starts; what matters is how ready we (Cranes) are; we have to be mentally prepared."

The 22-year-old also added that the Algerian star-studded squad doesn't matter; "Football is football; no matter the squad you have, we all play the game on the pitch."

"We also have to give everything and work on our strengths because we need those three points."

Okello is no stranger in the football circles of the North African nation, having joined Algerian side Paradou FC in 2020 on a four-year deal from KCCA FC but struggled to nail a starting berth.

Allan Okello during his time at Paradou AC. (Okello Twitter)

He then returned to the Kasasiro Boys' den on a season-long loan deal last season, guiding them to a second-place league finish as he picked up eight assists and a couple of goals in as many games.

The summoned Uganda Cranes squad. (FUFA Media)

Algeria tops Group F with 12 points, while Tanzania and Uganda come second and third with four points, respectively. Niger, at the base, has three. Uganda will host Algeria at the Japooma stadium in Cameroon.

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