Uganda Cranes skipper for the African Nations Championships (CHAN) Milton Karisa has conceded there is pressure for each member of the team to perform better in Algeria than the previous editions.
Uganda will be playing in their sixth CHAN tournament, but in for each 2011, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020, they failed to make it out of the group stages.
“There’s always a weight of pressure but we’re not that desperate. It doesn’t go your way when you get desperate,” said Karisa to the media before departing for the Tunisia camp on Sunday.
“We have to learn how to manage our pressure and expose our abilities. We shall fight for every possible point,” he rumbled.
The pacy winger is fully aware of the ugly history of the Pearl of Africa in the tournament, yet he asserts the team has eyes glued on success.
“We played in the previous tournaments and didn’t manage to qualify but this is another opportunity for us,” said the Vipers SC captain.
“I believe this time round we’re going to make it. Just like every team that qualifies here is good, we are also a good team.”
Head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic’s charges will play four buildup matches in Tunisia against Mali, Sudan, Cameroon and Switzerland outfit Lausanne FC, before connecting to Algeria.
They are pitted in Group B along with Ivory Coast, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with a bout against the latter in the first game on January 14th, at the 19 May Stadium, Annaba.
Travelling squad
Goalkeepers: Nafian Alionzi (URA FC), Joel Mutakubwa (Gaddafi FC), Jack Komakech (Vipers SC)
Defenders: Ashiraf Mandela (Vipers SC), James Begisa (URA FC), Derrick Ndahiro (URA FC), Isa Mubiru (Vipers SC), Hillary Mukundane (Vipers SC), Kenneth Ssemakula(SC Villa), Geoffrey Wasswa (KCCA FC), Gift Fred (SC Villa)
Midfielders: Siraje Ssentamu (Vipers SC), Marvin Joseph Youngman (Vipers SC), Abdu Karim Watambala(Vipers SC), Moses Waiswa (KCCA FC)
Forwards: Milton Karisa (Vipers SC), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers SC), Travis Mutyaba (SC Villa), Moses Aliro (Wakiso Giants FC), Rogers Kassim Mato (KCCA FC), Bright Anukani (Vipers SC), Titus Ssematimba (Wakiso Giants), Frank Ssebufu (Wakiso Giants FC), Najib Yiga (Vipers SC), Nelson Ssenkatuka(Soltilo Bright Stars)
