The ManicaPost
UGANDA coach Milutin Sredojevic admitted that the occasion got to his players as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Ghana in their first match back at the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday.
Thirty-nine years after losing to Ghana in the 1978 final, the Cranes made their comeback in the tournament in Port-Gentil but lost their Group D opener to a first-half Andre Ayew penalty.
“In 39 years we have not been there and in the first half we had an element of stage fright,” admitted Serbian coach Sredojevic after defender Isaac Isinde’s foul on Asamoah Gyan for the penalty proved decisive.
“We paid dearly for the mistake that is hard to explain.
“The experience of a great player allowed him to intercept and win the penalty that Ayew converted.
“At half-time we were fully aware that we are on the big stage.
“It needed man management and awakening of every player, injecting belief that we can play.
“We risked everything at the end but unfortunately it didn’t come our way.”
He added: “I believe our team has seen that our level of fitness acquired in preparation is enough for this competition but there are other aspects we need to correct.”
Uganda face record seven-time winners Egypt in their next outing at the same stadium on Saturday.
“No matter that the giants Egypt and Mali are in front of us, we still believe and we will give 200 percent in order to go further,” added the coach known as “Micho”.
Sredojevic felt only one lapse in concentration handed Ghana a 1-0 win in their Africa Cup of Nations Group D opener.
Playing at their first finals in 39 years, Uganda acquitted themselves well overall but Micho admitted they were found wanting in a couple of areas.
“We paid for one mistake which is hard to explain,” he said.
“This competition does not permit silly mistakes.
“We just lack a bit at the technical and tactical level.”
Andre Ayew scored Ghana’s goal from the penalty spot after defender Isaac Isinde had lost possession and pulled back Asamoah Gyan.
Uganda responded well after going a goal down and Serbian Micho saw enough to convince him they can still progress.
“We came here to show that we did not qualify by accident and no matter that we now have to face Egypt and Mali, we will give 200 percent to advance,” he said.
In their last African Nations Cup appearance, Uganda lost to Ghana in the 1978 final.
The Cranes’ next Group A game is in Port Gentil on Saturday against Egypt. – AFP.
