FOOTBALL–Cranes’ star duo of Khalid Aucho and Murushi Jjuuko are set to miss the crucial World Cup qualifier between Uganda and Ghana early next month due to suspension.
As per FIFA rules a player who accumulates two yellow cards during qualification for a major tournament is suspended for the next game.
The duo who also missed Uganda’s first game against Ghana at the AFCON 2017 due to suspension took their tally of yellow cards to two in Uganda’s loss to Egypt in Alexandria with Aucho booked in the 75th minute while Jjuuko got a yellow card in the second minute of additional time.
The pair both recieved their first yellow cards of the campaign in the opening game as Uganda played out a goalless draw with Ghana in Kumasi.
Uganda’s interim coach Moses Basena will now have to take brave decisions one of which may require Hassan Wasswa, who has largely been used in midfield this campaign, to slot in at center back to to support the under performing Isaac Isinde.
The other solution would be to field either Savio Kabugo who missed out in both the last two World Cup qualifiers as he is currently in South Africa on trails or KCCA’s defender Timothy Awanyi in the centre back.
With the saga surrounding Geoffrey “Baba” Kizito who did not honour a recent call up, the midfield area where Aucho has become a main stay for the past few years, will be the most complicated area for Basena to fill as he has limited quality options at his disposal.
The other Cranes players who are a single card away from suspension include captain Dennis Onyango and Hassan Wasswa who both recieved cautions against Egypt in Kampala and Nicholas Wadada who recieved his against Ghana in Kumasi.
Wasswa’s card is still debatable as it was Godffrey Walusimbi and not him who was booked at Namboole although official CAF and FIFA records indicate other wise.
Uganda cranes next games.
Uganda vs Ghana
07-08-2017
Mandela National Stadium-Namboole, Kampala
Congo Brazzaville vs Uganda
06-09-2017
Stade Alphonso Massambe-Debat, Brazzaville
