SPORTS
 
May 22, 2008
THE KNOWLEDGE CORNER
Judah Ndarushinze from Kyebando asks; "Has the Uganda Cranes ever got a result they need in a qualifier after coming from behind at home?"

There are no proper records in the past but aside from the CECAFA Championship, records show The Cranes have never overturned an away result in the modern era of football. The closest such a thing happened was in October 1977 during the last knockout qualifier for the 1978 Nations Cup.

The Cranes had forced a goalless draw away in the first leg against Ethiopia and needed to win to be certain of a ticket to Ghana.

In the second leg played at Nakivubo, defender Eddie Semwanga converted a penalty to open the scores but the Ethiopians equalised soon. The Cranes scored a crucial second through Jimmy Kirunda scrambled goal at the death to qualify.

Strange Facts:-
Daring Bidandi

We all know 'Mister' Jaberi Bidandi Ssali for his elegancy and for being a calm person.


After retiring as Cranes manager in 1980s, he assumed the office of KCC FC treasurer and was thus he was responsible for supervising the casual workers from selling tickets to manning gates.

On one such day while balancing books with the Nakivubo stadium management, it happened that one receipt book was missing. Bidandi pinned down the management but they denied having seen. Out of nowhere, a one Asaph, an accounts clerk, said he had seen Bidandi pocketing the receipt book in his jacket.

This took everyone by surprise, for Asaph to have the guts of pinning Bidandi and yet he was responsible for printing the tickets at his SAPOBA Books Press.
Smiling as if he hadn't heard, Bidandi moved closer to Asaph before unleashing a brutal slap that echoed through to the pavilion.
"I have never stolen, and never will I! You can accuse me of finding me with someone's daughter but not stealing!" he barked.