McKinstry names first Cranes squad, no local based player

McKinstry was named Cranes coach early this week. (PHOTO/Courtesy)

International Friendly
Ethiopia vs Uganda
Bahrdar Stadium, Bahrdar
Sunday, 13-10-2019 @4pm

New Uganda Cranes head coach Johnathan McKinstry has named his first Uganda Cranes squad for the upcoming international friendly window.

The North Irishman who was named Cranes coach on Monday has summoned a total of 20 players that he is planning to use in his first engagement.

Uganda is set to take on Ethiopia in a friendly scheduled for Sunday-October 13th in Bahrdar.

Surprisingly, the former Rwanda national team tactician has not named any local based player for the match.

It is understood that he first wants to access the professionals and will then look at the locals as they prepare for the upcoming CHAN 2020 qualifiers return leg latter this month.

The summoned squad feature 18 players who participated at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

McKinstry has called up to goal keepers including captain Denis Onyango. The other is Guinea based custodian Robert Odongkara who features for Horoya AC.

Usual suspect Salim Jamal has been left out of the team.

Only Milton Karisa and Denis based Moses Opondo have been included in the team and were not part of AFCON 2019.

Karisa was part of those dropped in the build up for the tournament that saw Uganda eliminated at the round of 16 while Opondo has been away from the national team for a while.

The team will assemble in Addis Ababa and will be joined by McKinstry and the backroom staff from Kampala.

The summoned squad

Goalkeepers

Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Robert Odongkara (Horoya AC, Guinea)

Defenders

Bevis Mugabi (Motherwell, Scotland), Denis Timothy Awany (FC Ashdod, Israel), Ronald Mukiibi Ddungu (FK Ostesunds, Sweden), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Jeddah FC, Saudi Arabia), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe), Isaac Muleme (TP Mazembe), Nico Wakiro Wadada (Azam, Tanzania)

Midfielders

Michael Azira (Chicago Fire, USA), Allan Kyambadde (El Gouna, Egypt), Tadeo Lwanga (Tanta, Egypt), Khalid Aucho (El Meskir, Egypt), Abdu Lumala (Pyramids, Egypt), Moses Opondo (FC Odense, Denmark), William Luwagga Kizito (Shakhter Karagandy, Kazakhstan), Milton Karisa (Oujda, Egypt)

Strikers

Patrick Henry Kaddu (RS Berkhane, Egypt), Derrick Nsibambi (Smouha), Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Al Ittihad, Egypt)