Uganda's newly appointed Cranes head coach Bobby Williamson has admitted that it will not be an easy task steering the national soccer team but insists he is ready for the challenge.

The Scotsman commences his tenure on Tuesday at Namboole national stadium where he is expected to conduct a practice session with locally based national team players.

The Cranes are preparing for make or break matches against Niger on September 7 and Benin on October 12 that will determine whether Uganda reaches the decisive qualification stage for the 2010 World Cup / African Nations Cup.

"We have to be united at this time of the campaign, most especially now that I am joining in the middle. I am calling on the support of everyone," Williamson was quoted by Daily Monitor on Tuesday as saying.

The tactician was however full of praise for the national team that took four points off Angola's Palancas Negras earlier in the qualifiers and has promised to consolidate Cranes' position with better results.

"I have since watched the videos of both matches and all I can say is that it is a very strong side. The defense is good and that department is the backbone of any team. You must have a good defense because other things can be dealt with later," he added.

The Cranes, who were a goal short of reaching the African Nations Cup finals in Ghana, are sitting on 7 points after four rounds of play. Maximum points away to Niger and at home to Benin will propel Uganda to the final phase of qualifiers.

The Ugandan Cranes last participated in the biennial showpiece of African Nations Cup in 1978, losing 2-0 to the hosts Ghana in the final.

(Xinhua News Agency August 27, 2008)