Uganda Cranes Regroup

Despite the shock defeat to Rwanda's Amavubi last Saturday, the Cranes are back in camp ahead of the 22 June tie against Ghana in Kumasi.

The team reported to their Namboole camp yesterday afternoon. "We have no choice but to prepare early ahead of the very important tie," coach Pedro Pablo Pasculli said earlier.

Pasculli was disappointed with the juju circus, but said the Cranes could still shock Ghana. Sekajja (inset) will be around, with his club duties now over (Photo by Eddie Chicco).

The coach blamed the loss on the failure in concentration by his players who were easily taken-up by belief in witchcraft.

"I have never seen such an atmosphere in football. I have played in many countries, but this was just too much to bear," said the 1986 World Cup winner.

Pasculli said the team now has to double the work rate and concentration in the remaining time because it's a must-win situation against Ghana.

The coach faced his saddest moment since arriving in Uganda, to the extent that he failed to speak after the game.

The extension of his contract now hinges on a miracle, Uganda beating Ghana on 22 June.

"This witchcraft issue disorganised my whole team because they were so taken up and failed to concentrate after," said the coach, through Giacomo Albreiux, Uganda's Honorary Consul to Genoa, Italy.

Like in March in Kigali, Rwanda's goalkeeper Muhamud Mossi 'planted' an item in his goal that sparked off all the chaos.

The coach said although his team lost and many Ugandans were disappointed, there is still a chance to qualify and people should not lose hope.

"We now have no option but to beat Ghana. They will underrate us and get beaten instead," said Pasculli.

The loss was a big disappointment to the Ugandan fans who filled the 42,500 capacity stadium for the first time, but there was a big party for Rwanda whose President Maj. Gen Paul Kagame even sent a jet to pick the team up that very night.

Meanwhile, Argentine based defender Ibrahim Sekajja, who missed the Cranes tie, arrives in the country on 12 June.

Giacomo, the Euromarkint boss who initiated Sekajja's switch to the paid ranks, told The Monitor yesterday that Sekajja was done with commitments of the club and will arrive early to start preparing for the Ghana game.

Group 13 standings:

 W D L F A GD Pts



 Uganda  1 1 1 1 1 0   4



 Rwanda  1 1 1 3 4 -1  4



 Ghana   1 0 1 4 3 1   3