KAMPALA – Uganda Premier League (UPL) top-scorer Steven Mukwala has made an instant return to the Cranes fold.
This comes barely 24 hours after he was dropped from the squad that is preparing to take part in the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup that will be hosted in Kampala.
Mukwala along with Ivan Sserubiri, Hassan Ssenyonjo and Jack Komakech were released from the team on Wednesday morning, leaving a total of 26 players to continue with training.
However, Proline FC striker Edrisa Lubega sustained an injury that would see him out for over a week, prompting Cranes head coach Jonathan McKinstry to recall Mukwala.
Mukwala will feel it is a chance to prove his worth to the technical team and maybe earn a spot in the final squad. The on-loan Vipers SC striker has scored 10 goals this season and currently tops the UPL scoring charts.
Mukwala and the other 25 players held a morning training session at the StarTimes Stadium in Lugogo and will continue on Friday at the same venue.
Relatedly, it was announced on Thursday that Uganda’s opening game at the championships will take place at Mandela National Stadium in Namboole as opposed to Lugogo.
The Cranes will take on Burundi this Saturday in the day’s second game after Djibouti and Somalia do battle at the Kabaka Kyabagu Stadium in Wakissha.
The Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) has also confirmed that the Uganda vs Burundi game will be free of charge.
Cranes players who attended Thursday training
Charles Lukwago (GK) (KCCA FC), James Alitho (GK) (URA), Said Keni (GK) (SC Villa), Joel Mutakubwa (GK) (Kyetume), Ashraf Mandela (URA FC), Disan Galiwango (Express FC), Mustafa Kizza (KCCA FC), John Revita (KCCA FC), Paul Willa (Vipers SC), Mustafa Mujuzi (Proline FC), Samuel Kato (KCCA FC), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers SC), Paul Mbowa (URA FC), Shafiq Kagimu (URA FC), Karim Watambala (Vipers SC), Nicolas Kasozi (KCCA FC), Bright Anukani (Proline FC), Muzamiru Mutyaba (KCCA FC), Allan Okello (KCCA FC), Viane Sekajugo (Wakiso Giants), Joachim Ojera (URA FC), Ben Ocen (Police FC) , Joel Madondo (Busoga United), Allan Kayiwa (Vipers SC), Fahad Bayo (Vipers SC), Steven Mukwala (Maroons FC).
