Ever since being reappointed as Uganda Cranes (Uganda men’s senior national football team) Head Coach last month, Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic for the first time met the players at the Cranes Paradise Hotel in Kisaasi on Sunday, 15th August 2021. He also released the team’s training schedule ahead of their pre World Cup qualifier camp in Jordan.
Micho who was flanked by the members of the technical team expressed his delight in meeting the players and urged them to take the game seriously.
‘I am happy to meet you. Please respect the football brand, be patriotic at all times. No one should love Uganda more than you. Believe in yourself as well as build the mental and spiritual strength’ Micho told the players as per FUFA website.
Micho also said that the Uganda Cranes make his work easy hence results will be realized during match days.
‘Ugandan players are coachable. This is very important for us members of the technical team as we teach you how to get the best result. We believe in quality, the right mentality and spirituality’ Micho said.
Micho was joined by assistant coach Moses Basena, Fred Kajoba (goalkeeping coach) and Geofrey Massa (team manager).
However, Fitness and Performance director Franck Plaine arrived at Entebbe International Airport on Sunday afternoon.
Plaine joins the technical team immediately for work as the team embarks on the first training session on Monday at Kabira Country Club, Bukoto in Kampala (9 AM).
It will be a double session with the afternoon session at the MTN Omondi stadium, Lugogo (5 PM).
Uganda Cranes will have a training camp in Jordan with two international build up matches against Syria before another international warm up against Ethiopia.
The preparation road map is geared towards the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kenya on 2nd September 2021 in Nairobi.
2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Preparations
Programme
Friday, 13th August 2021 – Preliminary squad of local based players plus foreign-based players currently in Uganda summoned.
Saturday, 14th August 2021 – Team enters residential camp at Cranes Paradise Hotel after undergoing COVID-19 tests.
Monday, 16th August 2021 – Team starts training (Kabira Country Club – 9 AM & MTN Omondi Stadium – 4:30 PM)
Tuesday, 17th August 2021 – Training (MTN Omondi Stadium – 9 AM & City Gym – 5 PM)
Wednesday, 18th – Friday, 20th August 2021 – Training sessions (Venues to be confirmed)
Saturday, 21st August 2021 – Team departs for foreign training camp in Jordan (2 build-up games against Syria will be played here on 23rd and 26th August).
Friday, 27th August 2021 – Team departs for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Majority of the foreign based players will join the team there
Sunday, 29th August 2021 – Friendly game against Ethiopia
Tuesday, 31st August 2021 – Team arrives in Nairobi for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Kenya.
Thursday, 2nd September 2021 – Kenya Vs Uganda at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi
Preliminary summoned Team:
Goalkeepers:
Joel Mutakubwa (Express FC), Charles Lukwago (KCCA FC), Simon Tamale (Soltilo Bright Stars FC), Nafian Alionzi (URA FC)
Defenders:
Enock Walusimbi (Express FC), Innocent Wafula (Mbarara City FC), Paul Willa (Vipers SC), Eric Ssenjobe (Police FC), Aziizi Kayondo (Vipers SC), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers SC), Murushid Juuko (Express FC) Garvin Kizito Mugweri (SC Villa), Kenneth Ssemakula (SC Villa), Hassan Muhamood (Police FC), Denis Iguma (KCCA FC)
Midfielders:
Nicholas Kasozi (Kyetume FC), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Vipers SC), Muzamiru Mutyaba (Express FC), Shafik Kuchi Kagimu (URA FC), Ali Abubaker Gift (KCCA FC), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers SC), Milton Karisa (Vipers SC), Abdu Lumala (Pyramids FC)
Forwards:
Richard Basangwa (Vipers SC), Steven Dese Mukwala (URA FC), Patrick Henry Kaddu (RS Berkene), Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Unattached), Yunus Ssentamu (Vipers SC), Jude Ssemugabi (Mbarara City FC), Martin Kizza (Express FC)
