By Frank Kamuntu
It is less than 24 hours before kick-off for the Uganda Cranes home game against Malawi in the Total AFCON 2021 qualifiers at Mandela National Stadium on Sunday, where two countries will be battling each other in a group B clash.
The Uganda Cranes coach Jonathan McKinstry and Captain Denis Onyango, as well as the Malawi head coach and captain addressed the media during a joint press conference held at Protea Marriot Hotel, Naguru on Saturday.
During the presser, Coach McKinstry and captain Onyango urged fans to fill Namboole Stadium.
Onyango said that “Come in many numbers to witness as I take charge of the Cranes team for the first time at home. I also this opportunity to challenge my fellow players to rise up to the occasion and get our first win in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.”
Coach McKintry said that “We shall do what is required to get the points we need and playing away against Burkina Faso will completely be different from the home game against Malawi.”
He added that “We want hungry players who will fight for the shirt. It will be a difficult challenge against Malawi. It will be a tough encounter but we are ready for the best game because I have been looking forward to my first game in Uganda and I expect an electric stadium and pressure to perform well so we look forward to winning the game.”
“We expect full backing from the fans of Alexis Bbakka and Abdul Lumala who are great players who will miss out on the Uganda Cranes squad but we have a wide pool of talented players who are hungry for success,” the Coach noted.
Onyango revealed they are hungry to make Ugandans proud against the Flames and called upon all fans to be 12th player in the stands as Uganda Cranes returns to Namboole after 366 days since the 1-0 win against Cape Verde.
“Uganda players are hungry for success and to perform. Even Messi and Ronaldo who are the best players are still hungry for more,” Onyango said
“Even we, the Cranes players are still yearning for more glory because we managed to get a point away from Burkina Faso and the focus is now against Malawi after We played against them and it was a goalless draw.
“It is a different game now but we have the firepower now since We need to win our home games that’s why we are more hungry,” Onyango said.
The Cranes fought for a precious away point during their Group B opener after forcing a goalless draw against Burkina Faso in the qualifier staged at Stade Du 4 Aout in Ouagadougou on Wednesday night, ahead of their second match against Malawi in Kampala on Sunday.
