Local-based legion to headline Cranes day one preps ahead of crucial Niger AFCON qualifier

The Cranes squad in a prayer moment in Japooma Cameroon. (FUFA Media).

AFCON23Q Local-based legion to headline Cranes day one preps ahead of crucial Niger AFCON qualifier

Peter Tabu • 12:30 - 29.08.2023

The communique, shared on the local football governing body’s Twitter handle on Tuesday morning, confirmed the side will train at East High School Ntinda starting at 3 pm.

The Uganda Cranes have commenced preparations for the upcoming final qualifier against Niger FUFA has confirmed.

The communique, shared on the local football governing body’s Twitter handle on Tuesday morning, confirmed the side will train at East High School Ntinda starting at 3 pm.

Pulse Sports reliably understands apart from goalkeeper Charles Lukwago (unattached), who is around, the rest will be majorly local-based players from the different clubs on day one of the training session.

Most foreign-based players still have mid-week and weekend league games coming up and can only connect after featuring for their respective clubs.

Unconfirmed reports also indicate Cranes captain Emmanuel Okwii is sidelined and will miss the crucial qualifier, leaving head coach Multin Micho Sredejovic with a tough choice of replacing him.

The Cranes who sit third in group F with four points must win their final qualifier and hope Algeria beat Tanzania for a chance to qualify for their first AFCON tournament since 2019 in Cairo Egypt.

Uganda Cranes Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers

Watenga Isima (Golden Arrows FC, South Africa), Magoola Salim Omar (Richards Bay FC, South Africa), Lukwago Charles (Unattached), Alionzi Nafian (Unattached), Mutakubwa Joel (BUL FC, Uganda)

Defenders

Semakula Kenneth (SC Villa, Uganda), Begisa James (URA FC, Uganda), Muleme Isaac (Viktoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), Awany Timothy (SC Ashdod, Israel), Lwaliwa Halidi (FK Bregalnica Stip, North Macedonia), Gift Fred (Yanga SC, Tanzania), Mugabi Bevis (Motherwell FC, Scotland), Musa Ramathan (VFK Vyskov, Czech Republic), Wasswa Geofrey (Ethiopian Buna SC, Ethiopia), Bwomono Elvis (IBV Vestamanyaer, Iceland), Kayondo Abdu Aziizi (AC Leganes, Spain)

Midfielders

Aucho Khalid (Yanga SC, Tanzania), Byaruhanga Bobosi (Austin FC, USA), Sentamu Siraje (Vipers SC, Uganda), Lwanga Taddeo (APR FC, Rwanda), Ndhondhi Moses Waiswa (KCCA FC, Uganda), Karisa Milton (Vipers SC, Uganda), Mutyaba Travis (SC Villa, Uganda), Mugulusi Isma (Feirense, Portugal), Mato Rogers (Sanliurfaspor, Turkey), Ochaya Joseph (Al Makawloon, Egypt), Miya Faruku (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey), Tibita Laban (URA FC, Uganda), Kasule Ibrahim (New York Red Bull II, USA)

Forwards

Okwi Emmanuel (Erbil SC, Iraq), Bayo Fahad (VFK Vyskov, Czech Republic), Basangwa Richard (Wadi Degla SC, Egypt), Ssebufu Frank (New York Redbull II, USA)

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