Basena optimistic despite defeat to Madagascar in buildup

Cranes interim coach Moses Basena is optimistic his team will triumph in their World Cup qualifier encounter against Ghana on Saturday despite defeat to Madagascar in their buildup game.

Two second half goals from Rio Carlous ensured the visitors triumphed against Cranes at the Star Times stadium in Lugogo on Wednesday evening.

Cranes’ goal had earlier come from KCCA FC midfielder Muzamiru Mutyaba on the twenty ninth minute mark.

Basena however says the defeat will only work to propel his boys to work harder as they prepare for the encounter against Ghana later this week.

“I would call it a wakeup call for the Saturday game,”Basena told journalists on Wednesday shortly after the game.

“We shall build on that tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday for Saturday’s game.”

The Cranes tactician said he was happy with his team’s tempo and the many chances created during the game which he said gives him confidence before the game on Saturday. He however asked his boys to concentrate on the first and last minutes of the game which he said are points when the team always concedes.

“Today we conceded in the last minutes whereas in Egypt we conceded in the first minutes. My players need to concentrate throughout the entire game,”he added.

Uganda will host Ghana in their group E encounter at Namboole on Saturday in the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

Two points separate Uganda who are second in the group on seven points Ghana  who are third.