Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic claims that Uganda have been pitted in one of the strongest groups for the Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers Cote D’Ivoire 2023.
The East African giants were pitted in Group F against Algeria, Niger and neighbors Tanzania.
According to Micho, Uganda’s opponents are stronger ahead of the games that will start in June.
“The long wait is finally over. I personally believe we are in a competitive group and one of the strongest groups,” Micho said before adding.
“Both Niger and Tanzania have had representatives in the group stages of the CAF Club competitions this season while Algeria were winners of Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 and recent winners of the FIFA Arab Cup,” he added.
“Someone would look at Algeria as group favorites but in modern football there are no small teams because gaps in African football have been reduced,” he added.
According to the Serbian tactician, the three Nations pose different challenges and thus different approaches must be implemented.
“We are facing teams with different approaches including two Francophone countries in Algeria and Niger then CECAFA opponent in Tanzania.”
“Algeria have had disappointments recently not making it out of the group stage at the last Africa Cup of Nations and conceding a late goal to miss out on qualifying for the World Cup.”
“So these Qualifiers will be a chance to redeem themselves,” Micho stated.
“Niger is a team with so many players abroad and very competitive. They have been to three of the last five Africa Cup of Nations editions.”
“So many Ugandans would welcome the chance of playing Tanzania but it is a tricky opponent. They will have two teams in CAF Champions League next season, Simba FC is still doing well in CAF Confederation Cup and they have good players abroad.”
“In the 2019 Qualifiers, we only got one point from Tanzania and therefore we need to respect them,” he further added.
Micho led Uganda to the 2017 AFCON edition in Gabon and his intention will be qualifying for the 2023 edition after missing out for the 2021 edition.
Group F
Algeria
Uganda
Niger
Tanzania
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