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Tanzania-based Okwi set for Tanzania game
Goal poacher: Okwi struck Uganda’s winner against Egypt at Namboole last year. PHOTO BY EDDIE CHICCO
What you need to know:
- Although he lost the Most Valuable Player award to Tanzanian striker and Simba skipper John Bocco back in June, Okwi was consoled with the golden boot award after scoring 20 goals in the Vodacom Premier League last season and was named on the best XI.
Simba and Uganda Cranes striker Emmanuel Okwi has the right to speak about Tanzanian football with authority.
Not only does he know the rage that he suffered when he switched from eternal rivals Yanga to Simba but also what the threat the neighbours will provide to Uganda Cranes on Saturday when they clash in the Afcon qualifier at Namboole.
“It is a challenge to play against opponents who understand your playing style but we are going to fight and make sure we get three points at Namboole,” Okwi said on Saturday after training at Lugogo.
Although he lost the Most Valuable Player award to Tanzanian striker and Simba skipper John Bocco back in June, Okwi was consoled with the golden boot award after scoring 20 goals in the Vodacom Premier League last season and was named on the best XI.
“We have started our preparation for our next game against Tanzania. All my teammates are responding well and I believe we shall put up a good performance,” he added.
He was part of the largely local based team that head coach Sebastien Dasebre started with on Saturday before the preps go into high gear this week as more professional players arrive.
“We hope to be joined by other foreign players on Monday (today). Three points against Tanzania are so important to us and we shall fight for the win,” the 41-year-old French tactician said.
Godfrey Walusimbi, Edrisa Lubega, Denis Onyango, Derrick Nsibambi, Farouk Miya, Yunus Sentamu and Moses Opondo are expected to join the team today.
In Tanzania, new head Emmanuel Amunike is taking nothing for granted as he axed six stars; Erasto Nyoni, Jonas Mkude, Shiza Kichuya, Hassan Dilunga, Shomari Kapombe and John Bocco for reporting late in training. Amunike, a Nigerian legend, will bank on Mbwana Samatta(Genk) and Shaaban Iddi Chilunda (Tenerife, Spain) as he bids to start on a winning note following Tanzania’s opening 0-0 draw with Lesotho.
Cranes lead Group L with three points after their opening 1-0 triumph away in Cape Verde.
