Uganda Cranes Up-Coming Fixtures:
- 3rd June 2017: International Friendly – Ethiopia Vs Uganda Cranes – Hawassa International stadium
- 6th June 2017: International Friendly – Senegal Vs Uganda Cranes – Dakar
- 10th June 2017: AFCON 2019 qualifier (Group L): Cape Verde Vs Uganda Cranes – Praia City
When the Uganda Cranes set off from Entebbe International Airport on Thursday afternoon destined for Ethiopia, there shall be a couple of new faces on the team.
Proline goalkeeper Saidi Keni, and Danish-based midfielder Robert Kakeeto, who features at Aalborg shall be making the team for the very first time.
Vipers’ Milton Karisa returns after last April’s international friendly with Kenya as Bernard Muwanga, Nelson Senkatuka, Savio Kabugo and Deus Bukenya are making a return to the senior national team.
The team was named on Wednesday night after the KCCA friendly match won by a Faruku Miya goal for the national team.
There are 2 goalies, 6 midfielders as well as 5 defenders and strikers alike. Onduparaka captain Muhammed Shaban makes the grade after a timely recovery from a sight problem.
Hassan Wasswa Mawanda will captain the side that also has Khalid Aucho, Miya, Emmanuel Okwi, Murushid Jjuuko and goalie Ismail Watenga.
Lusaka Dynamos left back Joseph Ochaya, newly signed Singida winger Shafiq Batambuze have been left behind due to injury and under performance respectively.
“Doctors advised us to rest Ochaya for 7 days. Practically, he is out of the three games because he will be unfit,” Micho said of Ochaya.
About Batambuze, the Serb hinted on continued under performance trend from the former Villa academy player.
“He (Batambuze) failed to perform against Kenya, he was a shadow of himself against Copa Select team and lately against KCCA in friendly matches. He needs to work hard and be considered,” Micho stated.
There is no place for experienced players as Dennis Iguma, Tonny Mawejje, Moses Oloya, Geofrey ‘Baba’ Kizito, Isaac Isinde, William Luwagga Kizito, Salim Jamal, Mike Azira among others who are missing for different reasons.
Overall team captain, Dennis Onyango who took over from the retired Geoffrey Massa will not play in the Ethiopia friendly since he is still engaged in the CAF Champions League group stage games as so, are KCCA players left behind to play Rivers United of Nigeria.
Uganda Cranes will play Ethiopia and Senegal on June 3rd and 6th respectively in two different international matches respectively.
These, according to Micho will help the team fine tune for the highly billed clash against Caper Verde on Saturday 10th June 2017.
Team to Ethiopia:
Goalkeepers: Ismail Watenga (Vipers), Saidi Keni (Proline)
Defenders: Nicholas Wadada (Vipers), Murushid Juuko (Simba, Tanzania), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Nijemh, Lebanon), Godfrey Walusimbi (Gor Mahia), Savio Kabugo (Proline)
Midfielders: Aucho Khalid (Red Star, Serbia), Crizestom Ntambi (Jimma Aba Buna, Ethiopia), Deus Bukenya (Vipers), Martin Kizza (SC Villa), Robert Kakeeto (Aalborg, Denmark), Bernard Muwanga (SC Villa)
Forwards: Emmanuel Okwi (SC Villa), Nelson Senkatuka (Proline), Muhammad Shaban (Onduparaka), Milton Kariisa (Vipers), Faruku Miya (Standard Leige, on loan to Royal Excel Mouscron)