Uganda’s road to 2015 Nations Cup is at the halfway point but what started as a smooth journey has become hard.

Therefore, this evening’s clash in Togo is in many ways a must-not-lose for The Cranes, writes John Vianney Nsimbe.

The tide has changed following Uganda’s 0-1 defeat by Togo last Saturday. As a result, hope has turned into despair.

Before the team departed for Lome on Sunday, Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic said the team would not give up their fight to end Uganda’s 36-year jinx of not qualifying for the Afcon.

“I believe in the work we are doing, and above all, the players. We are going to Togo to get a result as I believe we have the spirit to do it,” Micho said even though he clearly appeared to be under a lot of pressure.

But playing well under pressure is one thing Cranes hasn’t been successful in as was the case last weekend. Micho’s knee-jerk reactions, especially in the substitutions, pointed to uncontrolled pressure from him, which resulted in destabilizing the team balance, and further precipitated panic in approach and a disjointed performance.

Further still, his squad selections for the return leg have raised questions. For example, his decision to drop striker Emma Okwi, who was a substitute against Togo, remains a mystery.

Although Okwi didn’t have a good game, hardly anyone on the team can claim to have been better. So, if Okwi is a victim of circumstances, this doesn’t augur well for team spirit, where at this juncture, recriminations are the last thing needed to motivate a team, that was disenchanted by Fufa’s decision to reward them with only $300 after the Saturday game.

That said, the absence of Captain and defender Andy Mwesigwa is seen as a set-back for a team that badly needs to bounce back from defeat.

The confidence and leadership that Mwesigwa brings is seen as equal to the uncertainty in defence his absence has created.

Micho will have to choose between Isaac Isinde, Savio Kabugo, Martin Kizza and Murushid Jjuuko to form the central defensive partnership, which is crucial in keeping the Togolese out in order to realize the goal of getting a result in Lome. Going by experience, Isinde and Kabugo look a safer bet.