Uganda Cranes B side will kick off their COSAFA campaign against Lesotho today at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu, Durban at 4pm.
After two weeks of intensive training, the Abdallah Mubiru led team departed for South Africa on Wednesday, where they have had three training sessions.
Head coach Mubiru is confident that his team will overcome Lesotho following their great preparations for the competition.
“We are in a very good shape to lock horns with Lesotho. We have had great preparations coming into this competition and everyone is ready for the task at hand,” he said.
It is always a bit complicated starting a tournament at the knock-out stage as other teams are already used to the dynamics having played in the group stages.
The issue will be a challenge to Uganda but the good thing is that Lesotho are also starting at a similar stage.
The Crocodiles have always been one of the average sides in this competition since its inception in 1997.
Their best finish came in 2000 when they lost 3-0 to Zimbabwe in the final of the fourth edition.
Adam Siddom’s side have also finished third (2018) and fourth on two occasions (2013 and 2017).
Lesotho and Uganda Cranes were in the same group of the 2019 AFCON qualification campaign. Cranes won group games, 3-0 at Mandela National Stadium and 2-0 in Maseru.
Mubiru’s charges will heavily rely on the skipper and experienced defender Isaac Isinde, midfield orchestrator Muzamir Mutyaba and Dan Muzeyi Sserunkuma.
Last season’s Uganda Premier league top scorer, Juma Balinya alongside Paul Mucureezi and Nicholas Kasozi are expected to put up explosive performances.
