World Cup Qualifier
Thursday August 31
Uganda vs Egypt
Mandela National Stadium Namboole
Left to right; Paul Mucureezi Milton Karisa, Simon Sserukuma, Erisa Ssekisambu,Nelson Senkatuka. Shaban Lubega.
FOOTBALL–Uganda Cranes have started non-residential training in preparation for the World Cup qualifier against record African champions Egypt.
Twenty-one players dominated by locally-based members of the CHAN squad turned up for training on the first day.
The only other additions so far include Yasser Mugerwa, who plays in Ethiopia, Denis Iguma(free agent) and Hassan Wasswa (Lebanon), with the others expected in coming days.
“I have been monitoring players outside the country and praying that we don’t get any sort of injury,” said Moses Basena after Monday’s session.
“Its unfortunate that the pitch (Namboole) is having other functions so we cant train in it and that some of the players (professionals) are not turning up until the end of the week due to club engagements but we will be working with those available.”
On the mood in the camp after Saturday’s loss to Rwanda, Basena said: “When you lose a game, you look back and reflect on what made you lose.”
Basena and his assistant Fred Kajoba completed their first test when Fufa installed them as interim coaches in the wake of Milutin Micho Sredojevic’s walk-out on the national team last month by guiding Cranes to their fourth successive CHAN finals after withstanding Rwanda’s fightback in Kigali to prevail 3-2 on aggregate at the weekend.
And now they turn focus to their second assignment, a bigger and more daunting task as five-time African champions Egypt looms.
“Although Egypt is so different to Rwanda in terms of style of play and individuals, we will approach everything in the same way because African football is more like the same,” Basena said.
The Uganda Cranes resume training at 9am on Tuesday.
Players in attendance at training.
Goalkeepers:
Ismael Watenga and Said Keni.
Defenders:
Denis Iguma, Nico Wakiro Wadada, John Adriko, Isaac Muleme, Martin Kizza, Bernard Muwanga, Timothy Awany, Paul Musamali and, Hassan Wasswa.
Midfielders:
Muzamir Mutyaba, Shafic Kagimu, Moses Waiswa, Yasser Mugerwa, Deus Bukenya.
Attackers.
Paul Mucureezi, Milton Karisa, Simon Sserukuma, Erisa Ssekisambu,Nelson Senkatuka.
Pic 1. Moses Basena conducting a drill in today’s session.
Pic 2. The players who turned up going through a session.
Pic 3. The cranes contangent praying after training.
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