CHAN 2019
Somalia vs Uganda
Stade El Hadj Hassan Gouled, Djibouti
Saturday, 27-07-2019 @6pm
Uganda Cranes head coach Abdallah Mubiru has named his team to take on Somalia in the CHAN first round qualifiers this evening.
The Police FC tactician who replaced Sebastein Desabre earlier this month, on an interim basis, has named a strong starting line-up featuring 7 KCCA FC players.
Charles Lukwago who was highly tipped to start in between the sticks has been given the node ahead of 2018/19 StarTimes Uganda Premier League best custodian James Alitho.
Lukwago will be shielded by a back four of team captain-Timothy Awany, John Revita, Paul Willa and 20-year-old Mustapha Kizza.
In Midfield, just like he usually lines up his Police FC club side, Mubiru has gone for a three man set-up.
Vipers SC captain Tadeo Lwanga will anchor the center of the park with Allan Kayiwa and Muzamir Mutyaba playing infront of him.
The three in attack are all KCCA FC players with Allan Kyambadde and Allan Okello playing either side of Patrick Kaddu.
Uganda has in recent times been consistent during qualification for CHAN.
After losing to Tanzania in the second round of qualification and in the process, failing to reach the first edition of the finals in 2009, the Cranes have not failed to seal a spot in any of the last four finals (2011, 2014, 2016 and 2018).
To reach the last edition in Morocco, Uganda defeated South Sudan 5-1 on aggregate in the first round of qualifiers before hanging on to overcome Rwanda 3-2 in the second round.
For Somalia, they have never reached the CHAN finals’ tournament as they either withdraw or fail to negotiate their way through the qualification process.
In 2009, they did nit take part in qualification before they were hammered 6-0 by Tanzania in the first round of the 2011 qualifiers.
Once again, they did not enter qualification for both the 2014 and 2016 editions.
For the last edition in 2018, Somalia fell to South Sudan at the preliminary round of qualification, losing 4-1 on aggregate.
After Saturday’s first leg, the two teams will meet again next weekend at the StarTimes Stadium in Lugogo for the second leg.
Uganda Cranes starting XI
Charles Lukwago (GK), Paul Willa, Kizza Mustapha, John Revita, Timothy Awany (c), Tadeo Lwanga, Allan Kayiwa, Muzamir Mutyaba, Patrick Kaddu, Allan Okello, Allan Kyambadde.
Substitutes
James Alitho (GK), Tom Matsiko, Muatafa Mujuzi, Patrick Mbowa, Sadam Juma, Shafick Kagimu, Dan Sserunkuma.
