Uganda Cranes will miss the services of first choice goalie Denis Onyango, midfielder Moses Oloya and striker Geoffrey Massa after their respective clubs refused to release them for national duty.
This was confirmed by head coach Mulitin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic while naming his final squad to face Mauritania in the return leg of the second round of the 2015 Africa Nations Cup qualifiers.
The trio featured in the 2-0 win in Kampala close to a fortnight ago with Massa scoring one of the goals in the victory.
“We cannot cry for spilt milk. We will miss them but I am confident the players available on the team will play well and will get the desired result,” said Micho.
SC Victoria University goalie Benjamin Ochan has been named as Onyango’s replacement and is expected to deputize Robert Odongkara while Mawejje who missed the first leg takes over Oloya’s slot amongst midfielders.
Upfront, Gor Mahia striker Daniel Sserunkuma and URA FC’s Robert Ssentongo who were summoned late after Emma Okwi was left out of the team due to a groin injury have also been named in the travelling contingent.
The team leaves Entebbe this Thursday night and will connect to Nairobi and then Bamako, Mali and finally to their last destination in Mauritania.
Cranes need just a draw to progress to group E with Ghana, Guinea and Togo waiting.
Cranes final squad:
Goal Keepers: Benjamin Ochan and Robert Odongkara
Defenders: Denis Iguma, Walusimbi Godfrey , Savio Kabugo, Richard Kasagga, Andrew Mwesigwa and Isaac Isinde,
Midfielders: Luwagga Kizito, Godfrey Kizito, Aucho Khalid, Farouq Miya Tonny Mawejje and Brian Majwega
Strikers: Robert Ssentongo, Brian Umony, Daniel Sserunkuma and Hamis Kiiza
Officials: Mulitin Sredojevic Micho (Head Coach), Kefa Kisala (Assistant Coach), Kajoba Fred (Goal Keeping coach), Ronald Kisolo (Team Doctor), Crispus Muyinda (Manager) and Fred Katende Malibu (Media officer)