Former Uganda Cranes captain Andy Mwesigwa has criticised the team that crashed out of the Total Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt on Friday.
Mwesigwa told NTV at 9 that a strike wasn’t a good idea for the team ahead of the game against Senegal. Uganda lost to Senegal in the Second round of Afcon by 1:0 scored by the English Premiership side Liverpool FC star, Sadio Mane.
Mwesigwa who captained Cranes for several campaigns said the strike must have “contributed to our (early) exit”, saying, it could have been averted.
He said senior players, about several of them should have spoken to young players out of that idea.
On a positive note, Mwesigwa said Cranes did the country proud to progress to the second round and said they’ll reach quarters in the next campaign.
“They have done us proud, and they should have been better if the strike wasn’t there,” said the former skipper.
He added that four editions from now “Uganda shall be in the finals”.
“These boys have done us proud. They’ve written a strong statement on African soccer,” Mwesigwa said, noting had Captain Onyango and other senior players talked to other players it would have even been better.
Using his example, Mwesigwa said in “In 2014 Cecafa, we were in Mwanza, and players were pushing for a strike. I spoke to each one in the team and they abandoned the plan.” He added that the senior players, should have told junior colleagues that Fufa has always given what they were demanding and they have have been patient.
Mwesigwa underscored the fact that playing for the country was a job and “players deserve their salaries and allowance” as well as “good welfare, good meals, and transport.”
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