Media reports have indicated that Uganda has had an edge over Kenya in their recent encounters. That is factual, as Uganda have posted more triumphs compared to Kenya in the recent matches where the two neighbours have met.
But what the media has failed to point out is that most of these encounters were in the regional CECAFA championships and most recently, in the CHAN championship. More often than not, players in the domestic leagues are the ones that take part in these two competitions, and not overseas based players.
In the last CHAN (tournament for local based players) Kenya lost 1-0 in Uganda but won 2-1 in Kenya in the return leg. Uganda qualified for the finals which will be held in Sudan next year on away goal advantage.
In fact Harambee Stars captain Dennis Oliech was spot on when he said on Monday that the full squads of the two countries have not clashed in the recent past. He noted that since he made his debut for the national team in 2002, he has never played against Uganda.
So the two sides will be putting to rest the question as to who is best when the two strongest sets of players from both nations clash on Saturday for the first time in the recent history.
Kenya has called only five overseas based players, while Uganda has fifteen to pick from. But this does not bother players like Oliech. The Auxerre striker, who the Stars will depend on has proven that his predatory instincts are highly regarded as among the best in the French Ligue 1.
If Oliech together with Inter Milan’s MacDonald Mariga and others execute their game plan properly, Uganda's dream of qualifying for their first AFCON finals since 1978 will take a serious knock.
The Cranes Will Be Defending Their Tag As Regional Top Dogs
Out of the blue the Uganda Cranes have slowly, but steadily emerged as a footballing force in the East and Central African region.
Although the team has not fared well in continental championships, (they last qualified for AFCON finals 32 years ago) the team is currently ranked in an impressive 63rd position in the latest FIFA World rankings.
In the recent past, the team has won the regional CECAFA championship twice, qualified for the CHAN finals and had an impressive 2012 AFCON qualifiers start after walloping Angola 3-0 last month.
So as they step out at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday, pressure will be on them to protect their ‘top dog’ status and bolster the elephantine hope of Ugandans back at home, who have started to dream that this time round, the team has to go the whole way and qualify for the continental finals.
Despite playing away, the Cranes players will feel at home on Saturday because they will be cheered on by over 5000 fans who will travel from Uganda, massive government support and individuals who have promised the team hefty financial packages if they beat Kenya and qualify for the 2012 AFCON games.
It will not be impossible for them to emerge winners with the array of foreign stars in their team like Denis Onyango (Black Aces, SA), Geoffrey Sserunkuma (Wits, SA) David Obua (Hearts, Scotland ), Ibrahim Sekagya (Salzburg , Austria ), Nestroy Kizito (Partizan, Serbia), and Geoffrey Massa (Egypt) among others.
TEAM NEWS
Kenya
Veteran European based duo Arnold Origi and Robert Mambo were dropped from the team after becoming a regular fixture for a number of years.
The absence of Origi due to match fitness after recovering from an injury opened the door to a local based custodian to get between the posts on Saturday.
New appointed Coach Ghost Mulee confirmed that Dennis Oliech will wear the captain's armband against Uganda. Oliech was picked for the first time last month by the then coach Twahir Muhiddin when the team faced Guinea Bissau.
Recent form
Guinea Bissau 1-0 Kenya
Ethiopia 1-3 Kenya
Tanzania 1-1 Kenya
Goalkeepers: Wycliffe Kasaya (Red Berets), Wilson Obungu (Sofapaka) Martin Musalia (Mathare)
Defenders: Havenar Maloba and Anthony Kimani (Mathare), Julius Owino and Christopher Wekesa (Gor Mahia), George Owino and Edgar Ochieng (Sofapaka), Geoffrey Kokoyo (Ulinzi), David Otieno (Sony).
Midfielders: Kelvin Omondi (Gor Mahia), Crispin Olando (Tusker), Levy Muaka (City Stars), Chester Okoyo and Stephen Ocholla (Ulinzi), Osborne Monday and James Situma (Sofapaka), Macdonald Mariga (Inter), Patrick Osiako (Mjallby, Sweden), Johanna Omollo (FC Fola –Luxemborg), James Orundu (AFC Leopards) Kepha Aswani (Thika Utd)
Strikers: Dennis Oliech (Auxerre), Victor Mugabe (Germinal Beerschot), Allan Wanga and John Barasa (Sofapaka), Ezekiel Odera (KCB) and George Odhiambo (Gor Mahia)
Uganda
Talismanic striker David Obua is doubtful for the Saturday match after picking up a groin injury when playing for his club Hearts of Scotland on the weekend.
Obua, scorer of the opening goal against Angola last month, was brought off in the 67th minute of the game that Hearts lost 2-1 to Rangers after sustaining the injury.
Sula Matovu and striker Tony Odur - two of seven players dropped on Saturday – will be on standby, in case Obua fails to recover in time.
Recent form
Uganda 3-0 Angola
Uganda 1-1 Zambia
Tanzania 2-3 Uganda
Squad:
Goalkeepers: D. Onyango, R. Odongkara,
Defenders: I. Sekagya, A. Mwesigwa, N. Kizito, S. Masaba, G. Walusimbi, J. Owino
Midfielders: T. Mawejje, V. Kayizzi, S. Bengo, O. Kasule, D. Wagaluka, M. Mudde,
Strikers: G. Sserunkuma, G. Massa, M. Sserumaga, E.Ssepuuya
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kenya
Dennis Oliech has been a revelation for Harambee Stars since he made his debut in 2002. ‘Dennis the Menace’ will be looked upon to make up for the disastrous loss in Bissau last month. The armband will also add more pressure for him to deliver on Saturday.
Uganda
Ibrahim Sekagya has been such an imperious figure for the Cranes, and has excelled in nullifying some of Africa's most-hailed strikers. Besides being intelligent, Sekagya is a fantastic reader of the game and a timely tackler - attributes that should be enough to stop offensive Kenyan predators.
PREDICTION
Apart from the fact that Harambee Stars will be playing at home, Kenya will be parading a galaxy of experienced players who have played together for some time now. The possible absence of striker David Obua will also rob Uganda of the offensive threat that could have damaged Kenya’s defence.
Kenya 2-1 Uganda
