Cameroon- Uganda: Cranes coach happy with facing ‘best’

Uganda and Cameroon huffed to a goalless draw in the final warm-up game at Njeru last evening as the Cranes went into Chan 2016 having drawn all two.

Although Uganda were devoid of creativity, only slightly improving in the second half, Micho - who admitted there are major areas for improvement before their Chan opener against Mali next Tuesday - was glad they played strong teams in Gabon and Cameroon.

“We played two great teams with ambition to win silverware in Chan,” said Micho, “We could have brought weaker teams but we’ve tasted ourselves against a strong Gabon (1-1) and Cameroon.” Micho made only one change from the team that started against Gabon last Sunday, bringing in Muzamir Mutyaba for Robert Ssentongo.

Cameroon were a much solid team compared to Gabon, the imposing West Africans slightly comfortable on the ball.

Micho will have to use the remaining few six days before facing Mali to address some defensive, creativity and scoring concerns that has characterized the two buildup games. The Cranes could have gone behind inside the first minute when center back Richard Kassaga poorly controlled a high ball to allow Mahamet Harouna through but the striker could only shoot tamely at Ismail Watenga inside the area.

Uganda responded immediately, Keziron Kizito teeing up Ochaya down the left.
Ochaya’s cross was sumptuous but Cameroon keeper Nyame Hugo rose to the challenge, clawing it away. In a midfield devoid of life, only Keziron often engineered some good interplay between with Denis Okot, Caesar Okhuti and Erisa Ssekisambu but the moves went as far as before the goalkeeper.

Cameroon danger-man Atouba Yazid tested Okot with some stepovers amidst the scorching sun before Djetei Mohammed broke on 39 minutes, bursting with breathtaking pace past a pack of about five Cranes players. Inside the box, he twisted Bernard Muwanga leaving him on his fours before the Cranes reorganized to clear.

Uganda’s best chance of the half came via a rather quiet Farouk Miya corner, which was headed goal bound by Okhuti only to be cleared off the line.
Ssentongo, one of the six second half subs, twice teed-up Miya inside the area but the 2015 Fufa Footballer of the Year was lacking in execution. Another substitute, Martin Kiiza forced a good close save from Hugo after being connected by Miya.

Not worthy, Watenga was impressive in goal, cooling off several Cameroonian attempts including the most loaded shot of the evening when on-rushing Atangana Myond let off a 30-yard screamer, which the Vipers goalkeeper stretched to punch away.

Both sides pushed on for a breakthrough in vain and will know they have it all to do heading into their Chan openers on Sunday and Tuesday.