)
The crucial encounter on March 28 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam will decide the fate of The Cranes' qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and also his future at the helm of the national team.
Uganda Cranes coach Mulitin 'Micho' Sredojevic is under immense pressure as they head into the return leg against Tanzania's Taifa Stars.
The crucial encounter on March 28 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam will decide the fate of The Cranes' qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and also his future at the helm of the national team.
It is understood that Uganda’s football governing body, FUFA has handed the 53-year-old an ultimatum ahead of the Tanzania qualifier, with FUFA expected to make its decision on his future on Thursday, 48 hours after the game.
The Cranes are currently bottom of their qualifying Group F with one point from three matches.
A home draw to Niger is sandwiched by defeats to Tanzania and Algeria, with another defeat all but ending the Cranes’ chances of missing out on a second consecutive AFCON.
With Algeria already qualified from the group after a fourth consecutive victory in the group, Uganda, Niger and Tanzania are vying for the final slot, with Tanzania holding a firm grip on it.
Micho accepted that there is pressure on him, but believes that the last 96 hours before the game against the Taifa Stars has been a blessing in disguise as they have a chance for redemption.
He said, "In past times, we had a situation where after one match for the national team, you wait three months to either be happy that you have won or analyze why you have lost.”
“Now this is a blessing in disguise after 96 hours, we have a chance for redemption, and what we do in the game will prove how much we want it."
“I used to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Now, I have learnt also how to turn pressure into opportunity,” he added.
After winning the first leg match against Uganda 1-0 last Friday, Taifa Stars will have to secure another victory in the rematch to guarantee their qualification for the AFCON finals.
They currently sits in second place in Group F with four points from three matches.
Taifa Stars' goal in the first match was scored by Simon Msuva in the 68th minute following a cross from Dickson Job to give new head coach Adel Amrouche a dream start.
Amrouche, praised his players for their performance in the first leg match and has asked for more of the same when the two team meet again in 24 hours.
He stated, "We targeted to win the encounter and this is what happened, and we have also targeted to win all of our remaining matches in order to qualify for the finals."
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan raised the odds for a Tanzania victory with a pledge of Tshs.10 million for any goal to be scored in the remaining three qualifying matches.
Taifa Stars will be without Bakari Mwamnyeto, who is suspended after picking up his second booking in the game against Uganda.
Meanwhile, Simba's right and left full-backs, Shomari Kapombe and Mohamed Hussein, have been added to the squad by Amrouche.
On the other hand, Uganda's Steven Sserwadda is declared unfit to play due to injury and joins defender Gavin Kizito on the unavailable list.
In terms of previous encounters, both Tanzania and Uganda have won four of the previous 11 AFCON qualification meetings, with three draws.
Uganda has won one and lost three of the previous AFCON meetings with Tanzania, with one draw, with the Cranes suffering a 3-0 beating at Benjamin Mkapa the last time these two rivals met.
Tanzania has kept four clean sheets in the past five AFCON meetings between the two teams, scoring eight goals and conceding only two.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)