Allan Okello is one of the most loved Ugandan footballers currently.
The 19-year-old KCCA FC forward is the darling of Ugandan football as evident from the Social Media sobbing after he was dropped ahead of the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations 2019 in Egypt.
To make matters worse, just days after Uganda was eliminated from the above mentioned competition by Senegal, Okello put up tournament MVP performances as his club side won the CECAFA Kagame cup, most notably in the semi final.
However, despite not seeing their darling in Egypt, Ugandans were compensated with Okello being called up for the CHAN team which is set to take on Somalia on Saturday.
Along with 6 of his club peers, Okello joined camp on Tuesday, July 23rd, playing a build-up game against Proline FC at Lugogo before the team departed for Djibouti, where they will the game from, on Thursday.
After the team reached safely, Okello was quick to assure Ugandans that he is entirely focused on helping the team reach the CHAN finals in 2020.
“It was a great tournament (CECAFA) and we managed to win it, it was a great experience, but that is job well done and now my focus is on helping Uganda reach CHAN. Noted Okello.
“We need to do all our best and work very hard, concentrate, be efficient enough and win our games so that we qualify for the finals next year”
Okello is part of the 18-man squad that arrived in Djibouti on Thursday afternoon.
They have been training for over a week and are highly expected to take care of Somalia, starting with victory on Saturday.
However, a few concerns have been raised over the Cranes recent inability to score goals.
Before departure, they played three build up games in which they scored only a single goal.
A 1-0 win over URA last Thursday was followed up with an identical score line loss to Kitara region before drawing 0-0 with Proline the following Wednesday.
The only positives that one would pick from the build-up games is the fact that Abdallah Mubiru’s side has been creating chances and will be expected to do the same on Saturday.
If they negotiate past Somalia, Uganda will nest face Sudan or Burundi who also clash in the first round of the qualifiers.
Uganda is attempting to reach a fifth CHAN championship and a fourth in a raw since 2015.
The Cranes Players in Djibouti
James Alitho (URA FC), Charles Lukwago (KCCA FC), Tom Masiko (Vipers SC), Mustafa Mujuzi (Proline FC), Mbowa Paul Patrick (URA FC), Paul Willa (Vipers SC), Kizza Mustafa (KCCA FC), Ibrahim Juma Sadam (KCCA FC), Kayiwa Allan (Vipers SC), Lwanga Tadeo (Vipers SC), Mutyaba Muzamiru (KCCA FC), Kagimu Shafik Kuchi (URA FC), John Revita (Express FC), Awany Dennis Timothy (KCCA FC), Serunkuma Dan Muzeyi (Vipers SC), Kyambadde Allan (KCCA FC), Kaddu Patrcik Henry (KCCA FC) and Allan Okello (KCCA FC)
The officials
Kalyebara David Mukidi –Leader of Delegation
Mubiru Abdallah-Head coach
Mbabazi Charles Livingstone (Assistant Coach)
Massa Geofrey –Team Manager
Wassa Sadiq –Gaolkeeper coach
Nakabago Emannuel-Team Doctor
Mayamba Stephen-Team Media Officer
Bumpenje Frank-Kitsman
Ndawula Muhamamd Shaban- FUFA Delegate
Donney Robert- FUFA Delegate
Mulekezi Reagan –102.1 FUFA fm
Nsubuga Brian Emmy –FUFA Secretariat staff
Paul Mukatabala Nantulya -National Teams’ Officer
