KAMPALA – The COSAFA bound Cranes played their hearts out to hold Uganda’s AFCON bound side to a 1-1 draw in a build-up games played at the Mandela National Stadium in Namboole.
In the game played on Thursday afternoon, Allan Kiyiwa handed Abdallah Mubiru’s side a first half lead before Patrick Kaddu equalized for the AFCON team.
It was a game that was dominated by the COSAFA team especially in the first half, something the impressed care-taker coach Mubiru.
‘It was such a wonderful display from my boys, said Mubiru after the game.
“It was a great show against the experienced players and I like the challenge because the AFCON bound team is far much experienced than the COSAFA team.
“There is a lot we have learned as the technical team and the players.
Mubiru’s team is currently preparing for the 2019 COSAFA Cup that is slated for later this month.
They have been in camp since Tuesday and are being accommodated at the Sky Hotel in Naalya.
Uganda was invited to take part in this year’s COSAFA competition that runs from May 20th to June 6th, as the guest Nation.
However, they will not feature in the Group stages but will rather start at the quarter final stage.
In the Last 8, the Cranes will take on Lesotho, one of the other five nations that will also not be part of the Groups.
To complete the squad which initially had 20 players, some of those (players) from the initial preliminary AFCON Squad will be considered for COSAFA tournament, if they don’t travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The senior team will have a training camp in the UAE where they will depart for Abidjan, Ivory Coast before heading to the AFCON finals in Egypt.
The team currently preparing for the upcoming COSAFA Cup
Said Keni (Sc Villa), Jack Komakech (Ndejje University JT) Willa Paul (Police), Kizza Mustafa (KCCA FC), Revita John (Express FC), Eyam Ivan (Mbarara City FC), Owori David (SC Villa), Bright Anukani (Proline FC), Bashir Mutanda (SC Villa), Mucuurezi Paul (Mbarara City FC), Mbowa Paul Baker (URA FC), Mutyaba Muzamiru (KCCA FC), Isinde Isaac (KJSSS FC), Senkatuka Nelson (Brights Stars FC), Kagimu Shafik (URA FC), Kasozi Nicolas (KCCA FC), Kayiwa Allan (Tooro United FC), Hassan Musana (KCCA FC), Obenchan Filibert (KCCA FC), Birungi Michael (Express FC).
