If Cranes are to successfully overcome Tanzania in Saturday’s explosive Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) first leg fixture, they will need to adjust to the sizzling temperatures in Dar es Salaam.
Cranes arrive at the international airport in Dar es Salaam. Photo by Hasfa Ssonko
As of yesterday afternoon, when the Cranes set foot here, temperatures were as high as 29 degrees centigrade —five degrees more than what the team has been experiencing back in Kampala.
“The temperature levels are very high but we know its not just for today (yesterday). This is the typical Dar es Salaam and we will do everything to adjust fast enough. The good thing is some of the boys have experienced this during the CECAFA Challenge Cup tournaments played here before,” Micho told New Vision Sport yesterday.
The Cranes have been booked at Sapphire Hotel which is 2km away from the 60,000-capacity Benjamin Mkapa stadium, where the two sides will face-off on Saturday.
The Cranes held their first training session at Kalume Stadium and looked fi red up for the weekend assignment.
On the evidence of the approximately two-hour workout, Micho is likely to stick with the 4-3-3 formation he deployed with the main Cranes team during the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
The local fans here are excited about the prospect of facing the CECAFA champions.
The match tickets are fast selling out and all media previews are looking towards a win for the home side.
A majority of the fans that the New Vision Sport talked to have never recovered from Uganda’s CECAFA 3-1 win over the home side during the 2011 edition.
The winner of both legs will qualify for the CHAN tournament in South Africa next year.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has replaced match official Jean Claude Birumushahu with fellow Burundian Herve Kakunze. Birumushahu failed a match fitness test.
Team in Dar es Salaam:
Goalkeepers: H. Muwonge, A. Kimera.
Defenders: N. Wadada, D. Iguma, R. Kasaaga, Y. Mukisa, F. Kawooya, A. Kisalita, S. Kabugo
Midfielders: I. Ntege, B. Majwega, H. Wasswa, J. Mpande, R. Muganga, S. Kyeyune, F. Kalanda
Strikers: P. Edema and T. Odur.
Africa Nations Championship
Tanzania v Uganda
By Hasfa Ssonko, The New Vision
