Okwi fired up for Tanzania cash

Uganda Cranes captain Emmanuel Okwi | Photo Credit: Courtesy

AFCONQ Okwi fired up for Tanzania cash

Shafic Kiyaga 17:05 - 23.03.2023

Four of the last five meetings between the two sides have seen victories for Uganda, but their most recent meeting saw the Taifa Stars edge the Cranes 1-0.

Emmanuel Okwi insists that the Uganda Cranes are fired-up for Friday’s incredible clash against neighbours Tanzania.

The Classic East African clash at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, Egpyt is eagerly awaited on both sides of the border, but the Cranes captain insists his troops are ready for the battle.

Uganda heads into the game bottom of their qualifying Group F, with only a single point from two games.

Their opponents are not fairing any different, after also collecting similar results from their opening two games, a draw against Niger followed by a 2-0 defeat to Algeria, leaving the tie evenly poised.

“As a captain, am really impressed with the players, the effort they have put it in to get ready for this game,” Okwi explained in his pre-match comments.

“You can see that we have a lot of potential, and the players are really ready to give their best tomorrow. We need three points tomorrow.”

“Everyone, from the young players who have just joined the group to the experienced players, we are ready to give Ugandans the joy they need.”

Having opened their qualifying campaign with defeat to Algeria before they were held to a 1-1 draw by Niger, Uganda needs to win both their meetings to get their campaign back on track.

Meanwhile, Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic insists that the game will be won on the finer details, but backed his side after witnessing special hunger during their preps.

“We have waited nine months for this time to come, and for me our AFCON qualifiers start on Friday against Tanzania,” Micho declared on Tuesday.

“We have a good mix of both experience and the young lads who are coming through from the youth squads and are willing to prove themselves.”

“I don’t remember a period where this number of players have been in top shape to be ready to play,” he explained.

Four of the last five meetings between the two sides have seen victories for Uganda, but their most recent meeting saw the Taifa Stars edge the Cranes 1-0.

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