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Ochaya was recalled to the Uganda Cranes for the first time in over two years for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier double header against neighbours Tanzania on Friday and Tuesday next week.
Defender Joseph Ochaya has claimed that he will try and make an impression on Uganda Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic following his return to the national team.
Ochaya was recalled to the Uganda Cranes for the first time in over two years for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier double header against neighbours Tanzania on Friday and Tuesday next week.
“I want to promise that I will give my all for the team and even more for the nation to get victory,” Ochaya said in an interview on Monday.
“I am ready, you have to be ready to give more for national pride and my intention is to keep playing the way I have been playing, without fear and try and get some game time.”
“I won’t promise that I will play like superman, because football is a team sport, and I know I cannot win the game alone, but I relish going into the battle with the rest of the squad, to fight together and bring the nation victory,” he added.
The Cranes finds itself in a peculiar position of hosting its home game away from home, with Egypt’s Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, Uganda’s chosen venue.
However, despite the abnormal circumstances around the game, Ochaya who plies his trade at Al Makawdoon Al Arab SC in Egypt’s top flight remains confident that Uganda can acquaint themselves well.
Ochaya, whose last game for the Cranes came during the COVID-19 lockdown period with games were played behind closed doors, insists that they will once again have to carry the hearts of all Ugandans on their sleeves.
“We played games during COVID-19 without fans. I wish we could have them all in the stadium, but the situation is different, and we cannot have them in numbers” Ochaya stated.
“We shall miss the support from them, but what we know is that they will follow us, and will carry us in heart, but we shall carry them on our sleeves.”
“The small supporters that will be here with us will be crucial and they can give us an edge.
“We have to remain cautious that we are at home, and that is the mentality that we need to carry against Tanzania,”he said.
Uganda is in danger of their qualifying campaign getting even more difficult if they do not collect full points off Tanzania in the back to back meetings between the East African nations over the next two weeks.
The Cranes are currently bottom of Group F, with only a single point from two games, losing to Algeria in their opening game and then held to a 1-1 draw by Niger during the August international window.
Uganda Cranes squad:
Goalkeepers: Alionzi Nafian (URA FC, Uganda), Lukwago Charles (St. George, Ethiopia), Magoola Salim Omar (Richards Bay FC, South Africa)
Defenders: Torach Rogers (Vipers SC, Uganda), Begisa James Penz (URA FC, Uganda), Mulondo Livingstone (Vipers SC, Uganda), Lwaliwa Halidi (FK Bregalnica, North Macedonia), Semakula Kenneth (SC Villa, Uganda), Kizito Gavin (Al Ittihad Alexandria SC, Egypt), Kayondo Abdu Aziizi (CD Leganes, Spain), Awany Timothy (SC Ironi Ashdod, Israel)
Midfielders: Ssentamu Siraje (Vipers SC, Uganda), Okello Allan (KCCA FC, Uganda), Mugisha Rogers (UPDF FC, Uganda), Aucho Khalid (Yanga SC, Tanzania), Byaruhanga Bobosi (Austin FC, USA), Sserwadda Steven (New York Red Bull II, USA), Mugulusi Isma (Makedonikos FC, Greece), Miya Farouk (Caykur Rizerspor, Turkey)
Forwards: Mato Rogers (KCCA FC, Uganda), Mutyaba Travis (SC Villa, Uganda), Okwi Emmanuel (Erbil SC, Iraq), Ochaya Joseph (Al Makawdoon Al Arab SC, Egypt), Mukwala Steven (Asante Kotoko, Ghana), Bayo Fahad (MFK, Vyskov, Czech Republic), Basangwa Richard (Wadi Degla SC, Egypt), Anaku Sadat (Dundee United FC, Scotland)
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