The bizarreness of the 2020 football calendar will manifest itself at St Mary’s stadium in Kitende today, November 12 afternoon when Uganda Cranes host South Sudan before an empty stadium, writes MARK NAMANYA.

It will be the first time in history Uganda Cranes play a competitive qualifier at home before empty terraces in a decision taken by the ministry of Health to combat the Covid-19 pandemic that has claimed millions of lives all over the world.   

Doing battle in an arena without fans will marginally hand the advantage to the lowly visitors but coach Johnathan McKinstry’s more experienced squad will no doubt start the game as overwhelming favourites.

Uganda and South Sudan are separated by 92 places in the latest Fifa Coca-Cola world rankings; Cranes are 76th while their northern neighbours occupy position 168.

Rankings admittedly are just a number but considering South Sudan are bottom of Group B of the qualifiers with no point and Uganda are top of the bunch with four, it is not hard to see why Cranes will take to the field in buoyant spirits.

Of course, the professional in McKinstry is doing all he can to avoid complacency creeping in camp, particularly since the game will have a feel of a derby.

Three of South Sudan’s players are very conversant with Ugandan football with Kenya-based striker Tito Okello (Gor Mahia) having had stints at Express, BUL, KCCA and Vipers.

Playing at St Mary’s stadium will suit him fine given the years he spent at Vipers. He won’t have adaptability issues with the astroturf of the stadium.

Other Uganda Premier League players in the Bright Stars of South Sudan are Mbarara City centre forward Makueth Wol and Busoga United midfielder Ivan Wani.

The visitors arrived on Sunday night and held a training session at St Mary’s stadium on Tuesday. They are held a final one yesterday.

South Sudan are coached by Cyprian Besong Ashu who will have at his disposal the services of Czech-based striker Daniel Dau, AFC Leopard’s Abdallah Musa And Australia-based goalkeeper Majak Malying.

It remains to be seen what kind of line-up coach McKinstry will name given how some players have been active while others have not.

But with all professionals in town including captain Denis Onyango, USA-based Michael Azira and the Israel-based trio of Timothy Awany, Fahad Bayo and Kizito Luwagga, the coach will have a wide selection to name his final squad.

Victory over South Sudan will leave Uganda needing three points from the remaining three group games to reach a third straight Africa Cup of Nations.

Inside the stadium will be a maximum of 150 people who will include the players, technical benches, Caf officials, Fufa dignitaries, selected print, digital and electronic journalists and medical personnel.

Other than the players, all the people inside the arena will be socially distanced. They will also be required to wear their masks at all times before, during and after the game before they exit the stadium.        

In the other Group B game, second-placed Burkina Faso play host to Malawi in today’s night fixture. Like is the case with Uganda, a win for the Burkinabes would leave them well-placed to qualify for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

The tournament, which will be staged in Cameroon, was moved to 2022 to accommodate the CHAN edition next year.

Originally scheduled for early this year, CHAN was switched to 2021 and Uganda Cranes are among the teams that qualified to take part.

KEY PLAYERS (UGANDA)

FAROUQ MIYA

The Turkey-based midfielder scored the goal that took Uganda to a first Afcon in 39 years and owns a good scoring record in national colours. Miya’s hidden runs will pose a threat for the Bright Stars of South Sudan.

DENIS ONYANGO

It is not every day that a goalkeeper is a rated as a key player but in the case of Uganda Cranes, that is the case. Onyango is arguably the most famous Ugandan footballer on the continent for his agility between the sticks. He is yet to concede a goal in these qualifiers.

KHALID AUCHO

The defensive midfielder is strong in the tackle and possesses an excellent range of distribution. Aucho’s dominant central defensive brilliance has made the Cranes a difficult unit to breach. South Sudan will have their work cut out.

KEY PLAYERS (S. SUDAN)

DANIEL CHOK CHOL DAU

Based in Czech Republic at FC Vysocina, it will be interesting to see how he locks horns with the Cranes rear guard. Dau has that knack for bursting into spaces and his experience in Eastern European football means he won’t be fazed to play before an empty St Mary’s stadium.

DENIS YONGULE DALURI

A creative attacker for Eastern Lions in Australia, Yonguel can turn a game in an instant with his vision and touch.The naturalized Australian is still searching for his first international goal, however. This will be his fourth senior cap.

TITO OKELLO

Okello is known to the Cranes and Cranes know him. That, however, doesn’t make him less dangerous. He is an aerial threat because of his height and his movement is not too shabby for a big man. And yes, he can score goals too.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

04/07/2017 – Chan qualifier South Sudan 0 Uganda 0
22/07/2017 – Chan qualifier Uganda 5 South Sudan 1
08/12/2017 – Cecafa Uganda 5 South Sudan 1