AFCON 2019 Qualifiers
Uganda vs Tanzania
Mandela National Stadium, Namboole
Saturday, 08-09-2018 @04:00pm
The Uganda Cranes have started their preparations for the upcoming AFCON qualifier at home to Tanzania next week.
A total of 16 players including Emmanuel Okwi who plays for Simba in Tanzania attended the first session at the StarTimes Stadium in Lugogo on Saturday morning.
After the session, Okwi who will be playing against familiar opponents as he has spent the better part of his career in Tanzania said he is looking forward to the challenge.
“We have started our preparations for the next AFCON qualifier and the players are responding well, said Okwi after Saturday’s morning session.
“Most of us have not been together for a while but we are looking forward to having a better session next time so as we have a good game against Tanzania.
“For me it will be tough playing against them (Tanzania) because they know me but it’s a new challenge and am looking forward to it.
The other players who trained on Saturday morning included: Murushid Jjuuko, Nicholas Wadada, Yasser Mugerwa, Saddam Juma, Moses Waiswa, Mustapha Mujuzi, Charles Lukwago, Nicholas Ssebwato, Isaac Isinde, Allan Kyambadde, Martin Kizza, Patrick Kaddu, Khalid Aucho, Tadeo Lwanga and Timothy Awanyi.
Most of the foreign based players are expected to start coming into the country on Monday as confirmed by the head coach Sebastian Desabre.
The match against Tanzania will be both sides’ second game of the campaign. Uganda leads group L with three points after a 1-0 win away to Cape Verde while Tanzania drew 1-1 at home to Lesotho and currently sit third.
The complete list of expected players:
Goalkeepers: Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Jamal Salim (El Meriekh, Sudan), Charles Lukwago (KCCA FC, Uganda), Nicholas Sebwato (Onduparaka FC, Uganda)
Right Backs: Denis Iguma (Kazma FC, Kuwait), Nico Wakiro Wadada (Azam, Tanzania)
Left Backs: Godfrey Walusimbi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa) FC, Isaac Muleme (Haras El Hodood, Egypt)
Central Defenders: Murushid Juuko (Simba Sports Club, Tanzania), Isaac Isinde (Kirinya Jinja SS, Uganda), Denis Timothy Awanyi (KCCA FC, Uganda), Musitafa Mujuzi (Proline FC, Uganda)
Holding Midfielders: Hassan Wasswa (El Geish, Egypt), Khalid Aucho (Un-attached), Ibrahim Sadam Juma (KCCA FC, Uganda), Tadeo Lwanga (Vipers SC, Uganda)
Attacking Midfielders: Yasser Mugerwa (Fasil Kenema, Ethiopia), William Luwagga Kizito (BATE Borisov, Belarus), Joseph Ochaya (Lusaka Dynamo, Zambia), Moses Opondo ( Vendsyssel, Denmark), Allan Kateregga (Cape Town City, South Africa), Faruku Miya (Gorica, Croatia), Moses Waiswa (Vipers Sc, Uganda), Martin Kizza (Sc Villa Jogoo, Uganda)
Forwards: Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Simba SC, Tanzania), Yunus Sentamu (FK Tirana, Albania), Allan Kyambadde (KCCA FC, Uganda), Edrisa Lubega (SV Ried, Austria), Derrick Nsibambi (Smouha, Egypt), Patrick Henry Kaddu (KCCA FC, Uganda)