CHAN 2020 Qualifiers-Second Round (Return Leg)
Uganda vs Burundi
StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo
Saturday, 19-10-2019 @4pm
LUGOGO – The Uganda Cranes CHAN team continued with their preparations for the second leg of their qualifier against Burundi this coming weekend, with a double training session on Tuesday.
This was their third day of training for the Cranes having kicked off preps on Sunday morning.
All the 26 players that were summoned last week took part including Krizestom Ntambi and Allan Kayiwa who have just returned from a 1-0 friendly win over Ethiopia on Sunday.
Speaking after the morning session, head coach Abdallah Mubiru thanked God that the preparations were going on smoothly.
“Thank God the training went smoothly, noted Mubiru.
“We now have everyone in training after the arrival of Krizestom Ntambi and Allan Kayiwa who were with the senior side.
“I am pleased that all players are working so hard and the truth is that they are making our job of selecting who plays on Saturday difficult.”
Uganda holds a monstrous advantage going into the game on Saturday following their 3-0 victory in the first leg played in Bujumbura-Burundi last month.
Despite the healthy caution, Mubiru has cautioned his players not to get complacent as he expects Burundi to give their all on Saturday.
“We are trying to avoid a situation where the players get complacent and think the tie is already won, continued Mubiru.
“This is going to be an entirely different game from the one we played in Bujumbura. We expect them (Burundi) to come all guns blazing knowing they need to overcome the deficit.
“That means we have to remain focus and not to get complacent so as by the end of 90 minutes, we are still holding our advantage.”
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, Uganda took care of Somali while Burundi eliminated South Sudan.
The list of players training ahead of the game
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), Kirizestom Ntambi (Wakiso Giants), 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).
