Uganda Cranes Set For Burundi Test In CHAN Championship

Uganda Cranes left today for Burundi ahead of their Africa Nations Championships encounter against Burundi at Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium in Bujumbura on Sunday.

The match will be played on the astro-turf pitch which Uganda Cranes officials say troubles their players, most of who have never played in such a surface.

"The way the players time a bouncing ball and the way they have always kicked it has showed that their previous experiences is not enough. We need to handle those worries in time," a Cranes official was quoted in the New Vision.

With the exception for Manco Kaweesa, Henry Kisekka and Derrick Walulya, who have never experienced the modified surface, the rest on the squad have played on the surface before.

The Cranes' last international friendly with Tanzania on March 3 was played on such a turf and Uganda won 3-2.

But head coach Bobby Williamson, who said that picking the squad was getting difficult because every player was doing his best, is optimistic his team will overcome Burundi before the return leg in two weeks' time.

Three countries in this zone including the host Sudan will qualify for the finals in Khartoum next year.

If Uganda advances, the CECAFA champions will meet Kenya whose round one opponents Ethiopia pulled out of the championship. Eritrea also withdrew giving Rwanda a bye to the next stage.

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