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Oloya comes of age with awesome performance
Oloya comes of age with awesome performance. Photo by Ismail Kezaala
KAMPALA. One man that benefited most from Uganda Cranes coach Micho Sredejovic’s decision to go all-out in attack in the 1-0 win Comoros at Namboole yesterday was Moses Oloya.
Comoros had without a doubt done their homework, maybe partly. The decision to double up on Cranes lead striker Geoffrey Massa threatened to pay off but fortunately for the home crowd, it always left one of Oloya or Farouk Miya free.
Not that Oloya, who has donned that popular No.13 jersey since David Obua retired hasn’t had such opportunities in previous campaigns, but the winger can be frustrating with his final ball or output.
Actually in that 2012 Afcon campaign when Obua was infamously thrown out of camp on the eve of that heartbreaking draw with Kenya, Oloya made a bad audition as Obua’s ‘heir’. His career has hit a snag since but seems to have rejuvenated after a move to Russia’s Kuban Kransdor. Not yesterday.
Inside 15 minutes yesterday, he had found time to leave both Comoros fullbacks for dead and show Uganda’s intent. Uganda’s first three chances in the game had Oloya (pictured) written all over them. With him and Kizito Luwagga, who surprisingly had an average afternoon before coming off for a lively Emma Okwi, Micho certainly had reason to go for pace and width. Oloya even had the discipline to cover up for Nicholas Wadada when the right back gained the mojo to make those overlaps.
When the goal came, Massa was retreating from an offside position. Miya kept life of what looked like a lost cause, boy does he love to chase those. The Comoros keeper repelled but that guy Oloya was again in position to hold off two defenders, take a shot and lay off the rebound for Miya.
That goal ended Uganda’s 39-year wait to return to the Nations Cup and one fan kicked off the celebrations by flashing a t-shirt inscribed with “NO MORE HISTORY”. Oloya, who worked off to a standing ovation, is among those happy to finally forget the past. And maybe, just maybe, Oloya has earned the right to fill Obua’s shoes.
