Ahead of Wednesday’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger, Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has cautioned his team about the possible threats posed by the former.

The Serbian revealed that the West African side possesses a crop of players who feature for clubs across Europe and in other West African countries.

Micho also stressed his readiness to shut them out at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.

“We enter into tomorrow’s game against Niger well aware that they have a goalkeeper who plays in Belgium, several players in Albania, Ghana, and Nigeria,” said the tactician in Tuesday’s press conference at FUFA House, Mengo.

“They have a new dimension in selecting their players. They have players from all over the region and local players that played in the CAF Confederation Cup.”

However, Micho expressed optimism that the Cranes will show up big and grind a positive result.

“But, we believe and trust our players. We have gone through deep theoretical and practical awareness to identify our opponents’ point of vulnerability.”

“We shall need to close all the points of danger from our opponent and we’ll need some terrific awareness,” added the gaffer.

The 52-year-old went on to demand a strong mentality despite losing the first game to Algeria 2-0, on Saturday.

“We want and have to be mentally strong, give everything and have a never say never attitude.”

The last time the two met was in 2021 in a friendly, with Uganda comfortably winning 3-0, courtesy of Milton Karisa’s brace and another from Saidi Kyeyune.

The last competitive meeting was in 2008 in a World Cup qualifier which Niger won 3-1. Uganda had earlier won the first leg 1-0 at Namboole.

The Cranes lie rock bottom of Group F with no point, but, with a win at Kitende, and pending results from the Tanzania-Algeria game, they could go up to second.

Algeria tops the standings with three whereas Tanzania and Niger occupy second and third respectively with a point apiece.