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Micho, who will be taking charge of his 27th game under his second stint in charge of the Uganda Cranes, stressed the aftermath of that defeat to the Taifa Stars seemed ‘like a journey to hell’.
Even the strongest of spirits have their breaking point, they say. No matter how resilient Uganda Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has posed to be, the last 48 hours have definitely taken a toll on him.
Following a 1-0 defeat to neighbours Tanzania in their third game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier, the rope around Micho’s neck seems to be tightening by the minute.
Usually a charming, enthusiastic and optimistic persona, the Serbian’s latest press conference ahead of the return game between the two East African nations at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Tuesday, laid bare the cracks in his resolve.
Micho, who will be taking charge of his 27th game under his second stint in charge of the Uganda Cranes, stressed the aftermath of that defeat to the Taifa Stars seemed ‘like a journey to hell’.
Micho further reluctantly ordered his Cranes side to muster an immediate response, admitting that he has recently learnt how to turn ‘pressure into opportunity’.
“I have been a coach for 21 years in Africa, and I have handled three national teams, so I know what it means to have a derby of neighbours. ,” he told the media on Monday.
“One end of the tail can take you to hell, one can take you to heaven, and I have been to the former in recent days.”
“I used to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Now, I have learnt also how to turn pressure into opportunity,” he added.
“In past times, you had to wait up to three months to either be happy that you have won or analyse why you have lost.”
“Now this is a blessing in disguise for us that 96 hours (after defeat in Ismailia), we have a chance for redemption.”
“We have a chance to make up for the pain we have felt after losing on Friday. How successful we can be tomorrow night will prove that,” he continued.
Uganda’s chances of qualifying for their third AFCON final tournament in the last six years suffered a huge bump with that defeat, that left them bottom of their qualifying Group F.
Micho finds himself at the edge, with only victory against Tanzania enough to extend his stay at the helm of the Uganda Cranes.
Micho’s Cranes received a lot of condemnation for their awful performance, with questions also raised over the style of play.
“We are coming to play with our brothers from Tanzania with a high degree of respect, fully aware that it is a thin line between failing and succeeding,” Micho said.
“We must believe in the country that we represent, the work we are doing and the players that are representing their own country and their people.”
“We shall try this time to work towards something that will lead us towards a much better mood that it was on Friday (in Ismailia). It will be a match that I hope everyone will enjoy.”
Gavin Kizito who missed the first game will not return for the game together with Steven Sserwadda who lasted only eight minutes before hobbling off with injury.
The rest of the team is cleared to play the game, with Micho who has used up to 30 players in the three qualifying games expected to ring more changes especially with Steven Mukwala expected to start.
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