Micho wary of CHAN opposition

Sports Reporter
UGANDA coach Milutin “Micho’ Sredojevic has reiterated his respect for Zimbabwe and his team’s other Group B opponents ahead of the start of the African Nations Championships with the Serbian considering a blend of youth and experience in his squad for the tournament.Micho, as the Serbian is affectionately called, is preparing his charges for clashes against Burkina Faso, Morocco and Zimbabwe in the round robin phase.

The former Orlando Pirates and Al Hilal coach is, however, under no illusions about the tough task which awaits the Cranes at the competition which will run from January 11 to February 1 and has previously spoken of his admiration of the qualities of Zimbabwean Premiership.

He pointed to the big presence of local players in South African Premier League as testimony of the strength of the domestic top-flight league.

Micho told Cafonline.com yesterday that he believes the combination of young players and old limbs will serve the perfect tonic towards their quest for an impressive outing at the tournament designed exclusively for footballers playing in their domestic leagues. The Cranes will be making a successive appearance at the championships.

“We are in a very strong group that boasts quality opposition. We are working hard to ensure we get the best of players to compete in the tournament.

“Our league has over the years produced quite a number of quality players such as Denis Onyango of Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa).
“We will consider a blend of youth and experience to help our ambition of reaching far in the competition.”

Comparing the strength of their opponents, Micho remained optimistic that his team would be up to task at the championship where the Warriors, by virtue of their experience in this tournament, have been installed the Group B seeds.

The Warriors, who trooped into camp last night, will get their campaign underway with a date against Morocco’s Atlas Lions at Athlone Stadium in the first of a double header at the same venue where the Cranes will face the Stallions later in the night.

Zimbabwe and Uganda will then square off on January 16, before the Warriors complete their group assignments with a showdown against Burkina Faso at Athlone four days later.

Warriors team manager Shariff Mussa was satisfied with the turnout of players for camp last night with the Harare businessman indicating that 20 out of the 29 players named by coach Ian Gorowa had turned up by 7pm last night. Mussa said they were still to establish whether Highlanders midfielder Peter Moyo, who had reportedly gone for trials in South Africa, had returned to the country while Gorowa, who had returned to his base in Johannesburg after the Warriors international friendly against Mozambique is also expected back in the country this morning.

As the Warriors trooped into camp, they were boosted by news that they would be wearing a branded kit at the CHAN tournament with Zifa announcing last night that they would be unveiling a package from international sportswear manufactures Umbro at a function at the Zifa Village this afternoon.

Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela, said in a brief statement that representatives of Umbro were expected to arrive from South Africa to make the kit presentation to the Warriors.