Bevis Mugabi to show Cranes the way as captain

FOOTBALL | Bevis Mugabi will lead the senior national team, the Cranes, out against Comoros in an international friendly today.

Standing at 1.88m, the Motherwell defender has been defined in the Cranes backline by his size as much as his intelligence and confidence on the ball.

Mugabi exudes and has it all but not the one this some would think of: pressure.

"No pressure at all, I am still going to be the same Bevis as before," he said of his captaincy.

"I will lead by example on and off the pitch and be the best version of myself."

His commanding presence in the back four will today get a further impetus as he commands with the armband after the Cranes assistant captain was tasked with the responsibility of leading the national team in two international friendlies against Comoros and Ghana.

Mugabi is not new to leading the team and has previously had cameo 'burdens' under Serbian Milutin Micho Sredejovic.

The game against Comoros is scheduled to kick off at midnight Uganda time, or 9pm in Morocco, today at the Grande Stade Marrakech in Morocco.

With Emmanuel Okwi's retirement looking inevitable having not featured for Uganda Cranes in the last four qualifying games, the national team has moved on with Khalid Aucho as skipper and Mugabi as his deputy.

Aucho is currently sidelined due to injury.

Reflecting on the upcoming game, Mugabi emphasized the importance of unity and adherence to the coach's strategies.

He said the friendly matches are crucial in preparation for the FIFA World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches in June.

"Creating the bond together and listening to the coach and what he wants from us, making sure that we try to execute his game plan and obviously listening to him and make sure that we go into today's game ready,” he said.

“We are going into today's game with a positive mentality to make sure these games are in preparation for our games in June."

Mugabi made his international debut for Uganda on March 24, 2018, in the 3-1 friendly victory over São Tomé and Príncipe.