Uganda Cranes provisional squad named, qualifiers to be played in Egypt

By Emmanuel Sekago

Kampala – Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin Sredojevic has summoned a provisional squad for the forthcoming double header against neighbours Tanzania.

Uganda will play against Tanzania home and away later this month in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers.

Notably among the summoned players is goalkeeper Salim Jamal who has been recalled to the Uganda Cranes’ 30-man provisional squad for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Jamal returns to the Cranes fold for the first time since March 2021, when he was among the substitutes for Uganda’s game against Malawi in Blantyre.

The Richards Bay goalkeeper has been rewarded for his recent impressive form with the South African Premier League side.

The named players will start preparations next week. It should be noted that Uganda will host Tanzania at Suez Canal Authority Stadium on 27th March in Egypt before traveling to Dar-es Salam four days later.

According to Micho’s summoned players also are Charles Lukwago and URA FC’s Alionzi Nafian who have been maintained with Gadaffi FC’s Joel Mutakubwa among the goalkeeping options in the squad.

Egypt’s top-tier side Arab Contractors Joseph Ochaya who has scored five goals and provided two assists in the 18 games he has played in Egypt’s top flight, has also been recalled for the first time after close to two years, with his last appearance coming against Mali in the World Cup qualifiers in September 2021.

Uganda Hippos duo of defender Rogers Torach of Vipers SC, and forward Rogers Mugisha of UPDF have also been handed their first senior national team call-ups following strong performances at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

According to the FUFA website, first the locally-based players summoned will play a regional tour game against the Kitara region next week. Such games are aimed at bringing the national team closer to Ugandans.

The aforementioned game will take place on Friday, March 17th in Bundibugyo district.

The team will enter residential camp on Wednesday, 15th March at Cranes Paradise Hotel, Kisaasi before travelling to Bundibugyo on Friday.

The regional tour game will be used as a precursor for the forthcoming double header against Tanzania.

Some of the selected players from the regional tour game will travel to Egypt on Sunday.

The foreign-based players summoned will join the rest of the squad in Cairo direct from their respective clubs.

The Uganda Cranes Provisional Squad:

Goalkeepers: Jamal Salim Magoola (Richards Bay), Alionzi Nafian (URA), Charles Lukwago (St. George) and Joel Mutakubwa (Gaddafi)

Defenders: Gavin Kizito (Al Ittihad), James Begisa (URA), Aziz Kayondo (CD Leganes), Derrick Ndahiro (URA), Livingston Mulondo (Vipers), Geoffrey Wasswa (KCCA), Timothy Awany (Iron Ashdod), Halid Lwaliwa (FK Bregalnica), Kenneth Ssemakula (SC Villa) and Rogers Torach (Vipers).

Midfielders: Siraje Sentamu (Vipers), Aucho Khalid (Yanga), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Austin), Steven Sserwadda (New York Red Bull II), Isma Mugulusi (Makedonikas), Allan Okello (KCCA) and Farouk Miya (Caykur Rizespor).

Forwards: Emmanuel Okwi (Erbil), Rogers Mato (KCCA), Joseph Ochaya (Al Makawdoon), Travis Mutyaba (Villa), Steven Mukwala (Asante Kotoko), Fahad Bayo (MFK Vyskov), Richard Basangwa (Wadi Degla), Sadat Anaku (Dundee United) and Rogers Mugisha (UPDF).