Sebastien thrilled by players’ mentality

KAMPALA.

It wasn’t a start new Cranes coach Sebastien Desabre would have cherished but still it provided him with a few positives going into the Chan tourney next week.
In his first game in the Cranes dugout against Guinea on Saturday, Sebastien witnessed substitute Nelson Senkatuka cancel out Camara Saidouba Bissiri’s earlier striker for the friendly match to end 1-1 at the FUS Stade Molay E Hassan Stadium.
“We had two good chances in the first half where we enjoyed possession. Our second half wasn’t the best in the opening 20 minutes but we changed the strategy and system to 4-4-2,” revealed the Frenchman.
His preferred first line up pointed to a pending shift in roles for hitherto starters like Muzamir Mutyaba.
“From then on the game was so open to both sides. I liked the attitude, mentality and character of the team. This game has given me chance assess players further which allows me to make a choice on the squad and line up,” he told the Fufa website after the game.
Sebastien stuck to one striker Derrick Nsibambi upfront, and then turned to two with Muhammad Shaban and Senkatuka in the second half in a reversed 4-4-2 formation.
“It is good to score. We were a better side in the first half. The boys enjoyed the strategy passed to them by the coach.
“I think we could have won the game if it had stayed 0-0. It wasn’t an easy match as we conceded a sloppy goal,” said goal scorer Senkatuka.
There is still room for improvement if the team is to perform well in the Chan tourney as skipper Bernard Muwanga noted.
“‘It has been good game despite missing out on a win. We have learnt a lot but my department needs to be alert in the next game to avoid conceding.
“Today’s game has helped us learn a lot as we have targets for Chan finals, revealed Muwanga, also the SC Villa captain.
Cranes take on Congo tomorrow before shifting to Marrakesh to face Namibia, Zambia and Ivory Coast in the group next week.