Uganda: Ochaya Warns of Harsh Tamale Reception for Uganda Cranes

By Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo

Kampala — Ghana's confirmation, on Friday, that their 2018 World Cup qualifying opener next month will be played at the Tamale Sports Stadium, is intended to send a message to Uganda Cranes.

The national team will play there for the first time and Cranes' defender Joseph Ochaya believes it's meant to deliver a rude welcome, both on and off the pitch.

"First of all, it's very hot and dry," KCCA's Ochaya, who played in Ghana for two years from 2012 with giants Asante Kotoko, told Sunday Monitor. "There are a lot of patriotic fans in Tamale, they support their team," he added.

On all previous trips to the West African nation, going back to the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations final, Uganda has played in Kumasi or Accra. Uganda is yet to win in Ghana despite picking respectable results routinely. The 1978 Africa Cup final in which Opoku Afiyire, the current Asante Kotoko team manager and Black Stars welfare officer, scored twice in a 2-0 victory for Ghana, was played in Accra. When Cranes next visited, during the 2004 Nations Cup qualifiers, the home side got a late equalizer through Charles Amoah to deny Assan Bajope a would-be winner.

World Cup appearance

Michael Essien and Mathew Amoah scored in Ghana's 2-0 result in 2005 to book a maiden World Cup appearance the following year.

In 2009, there was 2-1 friendly win for Ghana before Tony Mawejje's goal earned a point in a 1-all draw during the fight for places at the last Nations Cup (2015) back in 2014. West Ham striker Andre Ayew equalized from the spot. Ayew's proximity to Tamale could also be a key factor in the Group E opener before Uganda face Congo Brazzaville and Egypt.

"Those guys support players from their region and there are many players who have come from that area," offered Ochaya. Essien, Mubarak Wakaso and the Ayew brothers all have connections with Tamale. "In Tamale, they will do everything to win because it's the World Cup that they want," Ochaya warns.

Uganda will visit the four-time African champions and three-time World Cup finalists in Tamale on October 7, following a camp in Lome, Togo and friendly game there three days prior.

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