|
Former Uganda winger David Obua has tipped incoming Cranes head coach Sebastien Desabre to excel in his new position. The 41-year old Frenchman was unveiled last week as the long-term successor to Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic, who quit the job in July after accumulated unpaid salary. Desabre's first task will be to oversee the Cranes' Africa Nations Championship campaign in Morocco later this month. Speaking to KweséESPN about Desabre, ex-Uganda wideman Obua, who plied his trade in Mauritius, the United States, South Africa and Scotland, believes the Frenchman's track record in Africa should ensure he's a success. "It is always good to get a coach who has handled teams in Africa," Obua told KweséESPN, "and Desabre has what it takes because he has handled players in several countries in Africa including Cameroon, Angola, Tunisia and Morocco." Before taking up the Uganda job, Desabre had been head coach of Egyptian side Ismaily, who he left at the top of the domestic top flight. Obua praised the federation for choosing a coach who will be hungry to prove a point with the national team. "When you look as Desbare's profile of winning titles with several African League teams, it is a sign that he can work well with African players," Obua added. "Many coaches from Europe will always find it hard to adapt to coaching in Africa because several things and style are different." He also pointed out that although Sredojevic left a good foundation with the senior national team, Ugandans should not expect an immediate impact from the incoming Desabre. "The new coach will need time to adjust to several aspects and also introduce his different methodologies," he added. Obua also insisted that Uganda must avoid the embarrassing situation that prompted Micho's departure from the post, despite having led the Cranes to their first Africa Cup of Nations since 1978. "We should not get into a scenario where a coach is not paid for several months because this will affect his ability to work effectively and also general performance," he reasoned. Former Uganda goalkeeper Paul Ssali also thinks Desbare's history in the continent will help him thrive in East Africa. "The new coach knows African football well although this is a national team and not club football," he told KweséESPN. "He will have to watch more league games to be able to assess players well." Beyond the CHAN, Desabre will also have the challenge of qualifying Uganda for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
|
