How Uganda Cranes can qualify for Gabon 2012

The group winner will qualify automatically while the two best runners -up from all the 11 groups also have a chance to join the exclusive party. So, shall we make it this time, having been so close yet coming painfully short year after year? “Only God knows,” is what even the most optimistic Ugandan fan can say. However, apart from prayers, there are things that I think, must be done. First, get the money in. In this day and age, succeeding in football is about availability of funds. Let the administrators make marketing the Cranes a top priority. Money must be mobilised from all corners by all means – from corporate sponsorships, goodwill donors, fans, selling jerseys, memorabilia, souvenirs, anything. Hearing complaints about lack of money for the national team is a national embarrassment. Second, let the Cranes get a public face and it should not be Mr Lawrence Mulindwa, the federation president, or any of the coaching staff. People want the players to be seen more and their voices to be heard more on the airwaves. The administration should get David Obua or Captain Ibrahim Sekaggya out in the media, in the public domain. It is all about strategic public relations, stupid! Through a well-executed media blitz, let the Cranes be splashed in people’s faces day in day out. Third, incentives are now part of the modern game. Even in the developed nations, incentives including cars and houses are offered to players and coaches as a kind of motivation to put their all in games. For example, government, corporate institutions and individuals can motivate the team by putting high premiums on goals scored, wins, and eventual qualification to Gabon.For the crucial away game against Angola, the federation and the government should start planning to mobilise and support as many fans as possible to travel with the team. The same should apply for the home matches at Namboole. Finally, the issue of qualifying to Gabon 2012 should be a national issue. Ugandans should be mobilised to exert pressure so as to ensure that the national team is not an issue for the stadium and football administrators and players alone. It should be part of Cabinet, State House and parliamentary decision-making processes. That was the case when Uganda last qualified in 1978 and that is exactly what happens in successful footballing nations.