2019 AFCON Qualifiers-Group L
Lesotho vs Uganda
Setsoto Stadium, Maseru
Tuesday, 16-10-2018 @07:00pm
Referee: Ali Mohammed Adelaid (Comoros)
MASERU – The Uganda Cranes will be hoping they can seal qualification to the 2019 AFCON in Cameroon when they take on Lesotho on Tuesday evening.
Sitting on top of Group L with seven points from three games, Sebastian Desabre’s charges will seal their spot at next year’s showpiece with a victory on Tuesday coupled by Cape Verde failing to win in Tanzania.
Having arrived in Maseru early, Uganda have had proper time to recover and prepare for the game and have also been boosted by the return of Tanzanian based defender Murushid Jjuuko.
Jjuuko missed the game on Saturday due to suspension after accumulating two bookings but now that he is available, he is expected to be slotted straight back into the starting line-up.
He is most likely going to be paired with Hassan Wasswa at center-back while Denis Iguma goes back into the midfield alongside seasoned performer-Khalid Aucho.
Joseph Ochaya who has been performing below per of late is the one expected to give way as Jjuuko returns.
Speaking after the last training on Monday, Cranes head coach Sebastian Desabre noted that all the 24 players are in good shape and focused ahead of the game:
“We have had two good training sessions in Lesotho at the Setsoto stadium, said Desabre.
“The players are all in shape and focused for the game.
“We have the quality and happy for their response.
Match Facts:
Lesotho have never defeated Uganda in an AFCON qualifier before.
This will be the fourth meeting between the two nations with Uganda winning two of the past three whilst drawing the other game.
The only fixture in which Lesotho have avoided defeat against Uganda was the only game played in Maseru between the two sides. It ended 0-0 in June 2007.
Lesotho go into the game in wanting form having won only two of their last eight games (D3 L3). Their last victory in the qualifiers dates back to a 1-0 win over Comoros in July 2017.
At home, the Crocodiles have won five of their last nine games (D1 L3).
For Uganda, having won only two of their last 10 games including the 3-0 victory over Tuesday’s opponents last weekend.
However, the Cranes have not lost an AFCON qualifier since March 2016 when Burkina Faso defeated them 1-0 in Ouagadougou. In that period, Uganda has won four and drawn two of their six games.
Away from home, the Cranes have won four of their last eight AFCON qualifiers (D1 L3) and are currently on a two-game winning streak.
Uganda Cranes Players Available for Selection:
Goalkeepers: Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Jamal Salim (El Meriekh, Sudan), Charles Lukwago (KCCA FC, Uganda)
Defenders: Murushid Juuko (Simba SC, Tanzania), Nico Wakiro Wadada (Azam FC, Tanzania), Godfrey Walusimbi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (El Geish, Egypt), Dennis Iguma (Kazma FC, Kuwait), Isaac Isinde (Kirinya Jinja SS, Uganda), FC, Isaac Muleme (Haras El Hodood, Egypt), Timothy Denis Awanyi (KCCA FC, Uganda)
Midfielders: Khalid Aucho (Church Hill Brothers, India), Moses Waiswa (Vipers Sc, Uganda), Joseph Benson Ochaya (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Ibrahim Sadam Juma (KCCA FC, Uganda), Tadeo Lwanga (Vipers SC, Uganda), Allan Kateregga (Cape Town City, South Africa), Milton Karisa (MC Oujda, Morocco), Allan Kyambadde (KCCA, Uganda),
Forwards: Edrisa Lubega (SV Ried, Austria), Patrick Kaddu (KCCA FC, Uganda), Faruku Miya (Gorica, Croatia), Emmanuel Okwi (Simba Sports Club, Tanzania), Derrick Nsibambi (Smouha, Egypt)
