Micho coy on formation for Eagles

Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic already knows who will start against Nigeria and what formation he will use but he is telling nobody. So we can only speculate.

Dennis Onyango comes into this tie high on confidence after seemingly cementing his number one status at Mamelodi Sundowns following long spells of irregular club football. But the goalkeeper’s importance to the Cranes has never been doubted by the East Africans as he has remained first choice. His imposing self, reflexes and leadership skills will come in handy with an inexperienced back four in front of him

With news indicating that experienced defender Isaac Isinde is unlikely to join the Cranes after a stand-off between Fufa and St George regarding releasing the player and his teammate Brian Umony, rookies in Richard Kassaga, Murushid Jjuko are expected to start in central defence in their first high calibre match.

Lithe as a cat...a lot will rest on Onyango's shoulders today

Another possible debutant is right back, Express’ Shafiki Bakaki, leaving Gor Mahia’s Godfrey Walusimbi at left back the only experienced defender and survivor from the 2015 Afcon qualifiers in the back four. This is an area Ahmed Musa of CSKA Moscow and company could exploit.

Should Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic decide to employ a 4-4-2 system, Gor Mahia’s Khalid Aucho is favourite to anchor the middle with Farouk Miya, Sporting Corvilha (Portugal) tricky forward Kizito Luwagga and Brian Majwega offering that craft going forward. Right now he is holding his cards very close to his vest.

The pace of Pretoria University striker Geoffrey Massa, who scored four goals in the previous Afcon qualifiers, and the industry of URA’s Robert Ssentongo should give the new-look Super Eagles defence a lot to think about.

Should the Serbian opt for a 4-5-1, then Ssentongo may make way for rookie Keziron Kizito. The Vipers’ midfielder is one of the revelations of the season in Uganda Premier League (UPL).

In a nutshell for Uganda to win these players must have a big game. ONYANGO IN GOAL, MASSA, SSENTONGO, LUWAGGA KIZITO, MAJWEGA AND MIYA

Uganda probable

Dennis Onyango, Godfrey Walusimbi, Richard Kassaga, Murushid Jjuko, Shafiki Bakaki, Khalid Aucho, Farouk Miya, Kizito Luwagga, Brian Majwega, Geoffrey Massa, Robert Ssentongo

Substitutes: Isma Rashid Watenga, Alex Kakuba, Joseph Nsubuga, Kizito Kezironi, Ibrahim kiyemba

Last five matches for Nigeria

1/17/15: Nigeria 2 – 0 Yemen

11/19/14: Nigeria 2 – 2 South Africa

11/15/14: Congo 0 – 2 Nigeria

10/15/14: Nigeria 3 – 1 Sudan

Last five matches for Uganda

11/19/14: Guinea 2 – 0 Uganda

11/15/14: Uganda 1 – 0 Ghana

11/9/14: Uganda 3 – 0 Ethiopia

10/15/14: Togo 1 – 0 Uganda

10/11/14: Uganda 0 – 1 Togo

Previous matches between Nigeria and Uganda

Played: 6

Uganda wins: 3

Nigeria wins: 2

Draws: 1

2008 Afcon qualifiers

02.06.2007: Uganda 2-1Nigeria

24.03.2007: Nigeria 1-0 Uganda

1994 Afcon qualifiers

17.07.1993: Uganda 0-0 Nigeria

30.08.1992: Nigeria 2-0 Uganda

Friendly international

26.09.1981: Uganda 1-0 Nigeria

1978, Afcon Final tournament, Semi-final

14.03.1978: Uganda 2-1 Nigeria