The King of Kampala and Uganda’s quest to reach Gabon/Equatorial Guinea 2012.
In 1978 the president of Uganda (or to give him his full title His Excellency, President for Life, Field Marshal Al Hadji Doctor) was Idi Amin, the country was embroiled in a war with neighbours Tanzania and Idi Amin was still twelve months from relinquishing power. It was also the last time that Uganda’s national football team (The Cranes) had qualified for an African Cup of Nations. Now, after defeating Guinea Bissau 2-0 in front of a delirious Kampala crowd, thirty-three years later Uganda stand on the cusp of qualifying for the 2012 edition in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea.
The Ugandans, like many other nations in Africa recently decided to appoint a European manager. It’s a common practice amongst African nations to do so, the supposed tactical expertise of a manager who has earned their spurs in a European league is often attractice to African FAs who wish to instill tactical discipline amongst their players. Most African countries appoint French mangers, but Uganda went in a slightly different route, appointing a Scotsman, Glasgow-born Bobby Williamson. On first impressions it’s difficult to understand what would have attracted the Ugandan FA to give a former Plymouth, Chester, Hibs and Kilmarnock manager the reins of their national team, but it appears to have been a master-stroke.
State of the group with two games remaining. Top team qualifies for CAN 2012
The Cranes currently sit on top of their CAN qualification group ahead of Angola, Kenya and Guinea Bissau, they also reached the final of the Nile Basin tournament, only losing to African champions Egypt in the final and they reigned victorious in the final of the CECAFA Cup (an East African regional tournament). Williamson appears to have formed a coherent and reliable squad of players who can compete well at an African level. Much of this can be put down to the fact he was employed three years ago and unlike many other managers in Africa has had time to build a team and to communicate his ideas to players. The fruits of this labour can be seen in the Ugandans defensive record in qualifying. Only they and South Africa are yet to concede a goal. The process of employing and sacking managers within months is all too frequent in Africa, Williamson’s fellow Scot Iffy Onoura recently fell victim to this as he was sacked by Ethiopia halfway through his contract.
Despite the recent successes Williamson has attempted wherever possible to play down the successes of his Ugandan side, reiterating that nothing is achieved until the goal of qualification is reached. The Ugandans have to travel to Luanda at the start of September to face the Palancas Negras in what could be a historic game for the central African nation. A draw or better for The Cranes will be enough to earn them a place in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea. It’s difficult to bet against the Ugandans in their current form. Along with South Africa they have not conceded any goals at all during qualification, an impressive feat for a country with as little footballing history as Uganda in comparison to the heavyweights of African football.
During Idi Amin’s reign over Uganda he referred to himself as the “King of Scotland”, should Williamson’s Uganda qualify for the African Cup of Nations there will be many in Uganda proclaiming Williamson as the King of Kampala football, a title he’d fully deserve if he can steer The Cranes to Gabon/Equatorial Guinea 2012.