Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin Sredojevic aka Micho on Thursday named a squad of 22 players that left for Ethiopia on the same day.
The team comprised of three goalkeepers, eight defenders, five midfielders and six forwards will play two friendly games against Ethiopia on Friday and Sunday this week before connecting to Tanzania for the first leg of the CHAN Qualifiers on 28th August 2022 at Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium.
Coach Micho believes the team named will be able to execute the task at hand.
“First of all, I need to give credit to the players that have worked really hard in training since we entered camp. And now we enter second stage which is checking match fitness and this will be tested in friendly matches against Ethiopia,” he stated after the final training session on Thursday morning at East High, Ntinda.
Four players from Vipers SC joined the camp on Wednesday and attended the final training session. These are namely; Livingstone Mulondo, Marvin Youngman, Siraje Ssentamu and Milton Karisa.
Micho explained why some players will not be part of the travelling squad citing several reasons.
“Two players from Vipers SC namely Halid Lwaliwa and Bobosi Byaruhanga are in process of securing Visas to go for professional stints but confirmation will about the teams will come from Vipers SC.” He indicated.
“Yunus Ssentamu already communicated in advance that he has private issues and we respect his decision but we hope to consider him in future engagements.”
“Additionally, some players had Passport issues and thus could not travel with us but I’m confident the team named will do a good job.” He stated.
The team travels on Thursday evening aboard Ethiopian airlines. The two friendlies will be played in Adama City.
Uganda Cranes will then depart for Zanzibar on Monday where the team will have an acclimatization camp, play a friendly match on Wednesday before connecting to Tanzania mainland on Friday.
The first leg against Tanzania will be played on Sunday, 28th August in Dar es Salaam while the return leg will happen on 3rd September at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
The winner on aggregate between Uganda and Tanzania will then qualify to the final tournament slated for January next year in Algeria.
Travelling Squad
Goalkeepers
Nafian Alionzi (URA FC), Denis Otim (Express FC), Mathias Muwanga (Onduparaka FC)
Defenders
Livingstone Mulondo (Vipers SC), Kenneth Ssemakula (SC Villa), John Revita (KCCA FC), Walter Ochora (BUL FC), Gavin Kizito Mugweri (SC Villa), James Begisa (URA FC), Ibrahim Juma (KCCA FC), Derrick Ndahiro (URA FC)
Midfielders
Joseph Marvin Youngman (Vipers SC), Siraje Ssentamu (Vipers SC), Saidi Kyeyune (URA FC), Moses Waiswa (KCCA FC), Isma Mugulusi (SC Villa)
Forwards
Milton Karisa (Vipers SC), Travis Mutyaba (SC Villa), Rogers Mato (KCCA FC), Martin Kizza (Express FC), Richard Basangwa (Gaddafi FC), Hakim Kiwanuka (Proline FC)
Officials
Leader of Delegation – Juma Abdulhamid Marijan
National Teams Officer – Paul Mukatabala
Head Coach – Milutin Sredojevic
Assistant Coach – Moses Basena
Goalkeeping Coach – Fred Kajoba
Team Manager – Geoffrey Massa
Fitness Coach – Arthur Kyesimiira
Team Doctor – Emmanuel Nakabago
Team Physiotherapist – Ivan Ssewanyana
Team Equipment Officers- Samuel Mulondo and Ayub Balyejjusa
Team Media Officer – Joel Muyita
*Credit: FUFA media.
