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Uganda’s formation never looked right and they struggled with a lack of balance in midfield but Micho said the problems were not just tactical.
Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic admitted that Uganda Cranes’ defeat to neighbours and rivals Tanzania was a reality check for his team, and said there is a lot they can learn from it.
Many expected victory at Uganda’s adopted home ground, the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, that would help get the wheels firmly back on the rail for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifying campaign.
Only for the Cranes to crumble with a limp and sloppy display as they suffered their second defeat of the qualifiers.
Joseph Ochaya’s missed opportunity from close range in the 30th minute was a good as it got for Micho’s side, with Simon Msuva stabbing the winner in the 68th minute.
Uganda’s formation never looked right and they struggled with a lack of balance in midfield but Micho said the problems were not just tactical.
“We have lost the game, but there are a lot of lessons that we need to take ahead of the return leg in Dar-es-Salaam,” Micho said after the game.
“We played against a back four that has all the players in the quarter finals of the CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup.”
“It was clear how they managed to deal with everything that we tried to throw at them, their organization against our set pieces, and against our attacks,” he explained.
“There were things that we did and were wrong, especially dealing with the balls from the wings, where they managed to get in that one cross that hurt us.”
“In that regard, I was happy with the first half, the way we have conducted, dominated and not allowed the opponent to endanger our goal.”
“On our side, we have to improve effectiveness in front of goal from open play and from set pieces because we have had many today,” Micho whose side had 27 set pieces in the game said.
“We need to have much better service and delivery in the final third, because there is not so much we can change in terms of approach for that game.”
A win would have resurrected Uganda’s bid to qualify for the AFCON after missing out on the 2019 edition, but defeat means they face an uphill task to secure qualification.
Uganda is bottom of Group F on only one point, while Tanzania now move second on four points.
Uganda now heads to Dar-es-Salaam on Tuesday following this reality check, but the result in Ismailia certainly offers cause for concern.
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