AFCON 2019 Egypt
Sunday (SS4/GoTV)
Uganda vs Egypt, 10pm
Zimbawe vs DRC, 10pm
Burundi vs Guinea, 7pm
Madagascar vs Nigeria, 7pm
Uganda Cranes return to action this Sunday against hosts and record 7-time champions Egypt at the Cairo international stadium in the last group fixture.
The side will be boosted by the return of center back Murushid Juuko, who sat out Wednesday 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe due a minor hamstring injury attained against Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the opener.
The Simba SC defender, who was also cautioned against DRC, returned to training on Thursday evening after missing out the previous three training sessions.
Speaking to the media, Cranes Head coach Sebastien Desabre was not certain of Juuko’s fitness albeit the latter’s expectation to take Ronald Mukiibi’s place who endured an unimpressive debut on Wednesday.
Nicolas Wadada could also take over from Bevis Mugabi at the right back while Tadeo Lwanga could come in for Mike Azira after impressing when he replaced the latter in second half against Zimbawe.
Emma Okwi scored Cranes’ goal against Zimbawe, his second of the tournament to become the fifth Ugandan player to score in two AFCON games since Denis Obua, Stanley ‘Tank’ Mubiru, Phillip Omondi and Godfrey Kisitu.
However, it was Denis Onyango’s goal line save that virtually gave the team a toiled point in a game where Patrick Kaddu and Knowledge Musona missed ‘seaters’ from close for Uganda and Zimbawe respectively.
Uganda is on the brink of qualifying to the knockout stage of the tournament for the first time in 41 years if they can secure a point off Egypt that already made their way to the last 16. The Cranes can also make storm next stage as one of the four ‘best losers’ even when results do not come their way this weekend.
Like against Zimbabwe, Uganda will worry about Egypt’s build-up play and sharp frontline led by Liverpool FC star Muhammad Salah.
Egypt that are not expected to rest their best players despite already storming the last 16 beat Uganda 1-0 at home after losing by similar score in Kampala during the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in the recent two meetings between the two sides.
Uganda Cranes Probable Lineup:
Denis Onyango (Cpt), Ronald Mukiibi, Godfrey Walusimbi, Hassan Wasswa, Murushid Jjuuko, Tadeo Lwanga, Khalid Aucho, Emma Okwi, Patrick Kaddu, Faruku Miya and Abdul Lumala.
