CHAN 2020 Qualifiers: Cranes conduct final session ahead of Burundi return leg

CHAN 2020 Qualifiers-Second Round (Return Leg)

Uganda vs Burundi

StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo

Saturday, 19-10-2019 @4pm

LUGOGO – The Uganda Cranes have on Friday morning conducted their final training session ahead of their CHAN 2020 qualifiers’ return leg against Burundi.

Abdallah Mubiru’s side will take on their Burundi counterparts at the StarTimes Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Cranes lead the tie after winning the first leg 3-0 in Bujumbura.

A total of 25 players attended Friday’s session with only Wakiso Giants’ Krizestom Ntambi missing out. Ntambi was also not part of the team as they entered residential camp on Thursday evening, having been involved in a motor accident.

Uganda is attempting to reach a fifth consecutive CHAN tournament.

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 Burundi, they are attempting to reach a second CHAN finals’ tournament having done so in South Africa 2014 where they were eliminated in the group stages after finishing third in Group D.

To reach the second round of qualification, Uganda took care of Somali while Burundi eliminated South Sudan.

The Cranes have been training since Sunday.

The list of players currently in camp

Goalkeepers

Charles Lukwago (KCCA), James Alitho (URA), Joel Mutakubwa (Kyetume)

Defenders                     

Paul Willa (Police), Ashraf Mandela (URA), Arafat Galiwango (Police), John Revita (KCCA), Mustapha Kizza (KCCA), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers), Paul Mbowa (URA), Mustafa Mujuzi (Proline)

Midfielders

Nicholas Kasozi (KCCA), Said Kyeyune (URA), Yusuf Ssozi (Police), David Owori (SC Villa), Allan Okello (KCCA), Shafique Kagimu (URA), Vianne Ssekajjugo (Wakiso Giants), Karim Watambala (Vipers SC), Bright Anukani (Proline), Ibrahim Orit (Mbarara City)

Strikers

Fahad Bayo (Vipers), Dan Sserunkuma (Vipers), Mike Mutyaba (KCCA), Allan Kayiwa (Vipers SC).