Pirates travel to Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, to face URA in the return leg of their CAF Confederation Cup first-round match on Saturday carrying a 2-1 lead from the first leg played at Orlando Stadium on March 14.
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Micho – who is the Uganda national team coach – also warns that the Taxmen will be motivated to cause an upset against one of the most identifiable clubs in Africa.
“I have to make mention of the fact that the pitch is a disaster compared to what Pirates are used to. It is very bumpy and they don’t really water it the right way all the time,” Micho tells snl24.com/kickoff from his base in Kampala.
“The poor state of that pitch will surely play a decisive role but then I hope this is something that Pirates are used to having been playing in Africa for all these years.
“Another factor in point is that URA are very motivated for this match. The desire to cause an upset is written all over their faces as it will be a huge achievement for them if they manage to beat Pirates.
“Pirates is not an ordinary club. The fact they have previously won the Champions League and were in the Final two years ago means they are a well-respected club on the continent. The players at URA also have an ambition to play for Pirates so it is natural that they will want to do well and prove a point.
“When URA entered this competition it was more about participation but following the result at Orlando the appetite to cause an upset has gone up. It will not be easy for Pirates and I am hoping to enjoy the action from the stands.
“What will however suit Pirates is that the stadium will not be full as URA don’t have a huge following like KCCA, SC Villa and Express. Some of the people in the stands will actually be there just to catch sight of all the Pirates players that they always see on television and not really as supporters of URA,” he says.
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The Serbian adds that the absence of URA's top striker Robert Ssentongo will also play a role, with the Taxmen’s cause worsened by injuries to Frank Kalanda and Peter Lwasa.
“It is unfortunate that they will not be having an important player who has done very well for them,” says Micho.
URA are currently fourth in the Ugandan Premier League, nine points behind leaders Vipers with a third of the season remaining.
The 46-year-old also confirms that he signed a three-year extension with the Ugandan FA two days ago and will oversee qualifiers for the 2016 CHAN finals, 2017 African Nations Cup and 2018 World Cup.