Uganda’s ‘Micho’ calm over clash with ex-employer Rwanda

 

Coach Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic. For the first time since Uganda Cranes Coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic and Rwanda parted ways, the two subjects will come up against each other Friday in a competitive encounter in the regional GOtv Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup. PHOTO | BBC 

In Summary

• The Cranes, the competition’s most successful side, arrived in Nairobi on Monday and have been holding light training at the City Stadium.
• The last time Uganda and Rwanda were pooled together at the group stage of the Cecafa tournament was in the 2008 championship.

By Odindo Ayieko
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For the first time since Uganda Cranes Coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic and Rwanda parted ways, the two subjects will come up against each other Friday in a competitive encounter in the regional GOtv Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup.

Sredojevic led Uganda against Rwanda in a friendly just over 10 days ago that ended even. But there will be no friendly fire this afternoon in Machakos where Sredojevic will be out to teach his former employer a few lessons.

“I am not bitter at the way I left Rwanda. I'm not vengeful. I just want to help Uganda win,” said Sredojevic, who will be up against his former mate on the Rwanda bench, Eric Nshimiyimana.

“Revenge is not in my bracket. Life happened, life continues. What I know is I remain a friend of Rwanda and they are my friends. I know them; I know what they can do. I (also) know our boys (Ugandans).”

Sredojevic ’ said defending the regional Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup will not be an easy task.

The Cranes, the competition’s most successful side, arrived in Nairobi on Monday and have been holding light training at the City Stadium.

‘Micho’ as the coach is popularly known, has warned that his team will not promise miracles at the competition.

“This is a tournament we are using to prepare the team for the 2014 Africa Nations Championship and the boys are aware they must impress,” he said.

The last time Uganda and Rwanda were pooled together at the group stage of the Cecafa tournament was in the 2008 championship.

Then, Cranes eliminated the Amavubi crushed Amavubi 4-0 at Namboole.

The Uganda coach labelled Pool C as the ‘group of death’.

He has called up only three foreign-based players who all play in the Kenyan Premier League.

They are Dan Sserunkuma for Gor Mahia and Tusker’s Hamis Kizza and Khalid Aucho.

also of Tusker, to make an impact on the team.

“Our first step will be to give a good account in the group stages so that we qualify for the knockout stages,” explained Micho.