When life knocks you down, try to land on your back because if you can look up, you can get up.
In the incident that Uganda Cranes had to get maximum points from Tanzania, Allan Okello stepped up to the occasion and planted the ball over the bar.
He buried his hands in the arms after witnessing the ball flying over the frame. It was surely a tough moment for the 25-year-old forward.
Paul Put backs up Okello
Shortly after the game, Paul Put was quick to note that any player can miss from the 12-yard mark so he believes Allan Okello will bounce back.
“Even Messi has missed penalties so any player can miss. So I am happy that he took his responsibility but he was unfortunate to miss. You never know he will score first in the next game as we win so that is football,” the gaffer noted.
Denis Onyango calls for collective duty to protect Okello
Goalkeeper and captain Denis Onyango added that the its a collective duty for the team to protect one another during challenging moments.
“We need to stay positive and protect one another because I know its going to be tough for the young man. Allan Okello is a talented and has been scoring for the nation we need to keep him positive,” he noted.
“It’s part of life at one point we fall but what matters is how to raise. It was a good opportunity for us to get the three points we didn’t and we shall not cry about it because we have another (opportunity) against Nigeria,” he added.
Uche Ikpeazu shields ‘exceptional’ Okello
Uganda’s goal scorer on the day Uche Ikpeazu described Okello as an exceptional talent before he added that the forward will move on and create better moments.
“I have seen many great players miss penalties. Allan is a young, exceptional talent and he will move on from it. I am sure that he plan many more competitions,” he said.
“The fact that he stepped up to handle the pressure. That is a man with great mentality, maturity and intelligence. So the miss doesn’t take away anything from him as a player,” he added.
In the same breath, former players, club administrators and fans have all come out to uplift and shield Okello through this tough time.
Uganda will return to action on Tuesday, December 30 as they take on group leaders Tanzania at Complexe Sportif de Fes.
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