Uganda Cranes coach Bobby Williamson has said having build-up games ahead of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier game against Chipolopolo of Zambia will be useless.
In an exclusive interview with URN on Monday, the Scottish-born tactician who returned from holiday last week, said it makes no sense because it’s only the local-based players who would play the build-ups and not the professionals who make up most of the team during the big games.
Williamson says the friendly games only help when preparing for the regional Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup and the CHAN tournament where local-based players feature.
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Last month during the draws conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa, the Cranes were pitted against the African Champions Zambia with the first leg slated for September 7 in Ndola, while the return leg will be played at Namboole Stadium on October 13. Although the FUFA spokesman Rogers Mulindwa said last week that the federation was planning build-ups with Botswana and Zimbabwe, the coach has made it clear that it will be senseless to have these matches.
Williamson also pointed out that having some of these build-up games is a waste of money. Before the Cranes’ three games against Angola, Senegal and Congo Brazzaville in June, the coach only had The Cranes play against the junior team, Hippos.
About facing Zambia, Williamson, who will be making four years in August as coach of the Cranes, said his boys will have to keep it close if they are to go through to the finals. He said playing away for the first leg is good enough, but added that the return leg will be very vital and he hopes the strikers find their striking prowess.
The Cranes last featured at the continental showpiece in 1978 but Williamson now thinks this is the time to end the jinx and send the team to the finals in South Africa.
