Uganda Cranes interim coach Moses Basena talks to the players last week at Namboole. They shift base to St Mary's Kitende on Monday Credit: FUFA Media
  • CHAN 2018 Qualifiers (2nd Round, 1st Leg):
  • Saturday, 12th August 2017
  • Uganda Vs Rwanda – St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende (4:00 p.m)
  • Entry Fees: 15,000/=, 25,000/= and 50,000/=
[/media-credit] Uganda Cranes interim coach Moses Basena talks to the players last week at Namboole. They shift base to St Mary’s Kitende on Monday Credit: FUFA Media

After four training sessions at Namboole, Uganda Cranes team preparing for CHAN 2018 qualifiers double header against Rwanda will shift base to St Mary’s Stadium at Kitende.

Since Wednesday, the players under the interim coaches Moses Basena and Fred Kajoba have been undergoing the paces at Namboole.

The players were granted a one day rest (to freshen up) following the Saturday morning session.

“We shall starting Monday evening train at St Mary’s Kitende stadium because there is need for the players to get used to the playing surface that will be used,” Ahmed Hussein, the head of media and communications at FUFA told Kawowo Sports.

All the 26 players who have been engaged in the sessions are expected for training on Monday.

[/media-credit] Onduparaka sharp striker Muhammed Shaban shoots at goal during a training session at Namboole Credit: FUFA Media

Uganda Cranes will host the first leg on Saturday 12th August 2017 at St Mary’s Kitende, the first national team match at the stadium.

A week later, Rwanda will entertain Uganda in the return leg at the Kigali Regional stadium, Nyamirambo.

The winner on aggregate will qualify for the final tournament that will be hosted by Kenya in 2018.

CHAN is a tournament that only accommodates the locally based players featuring in the respective domestic leagues of the Africa countries.

Uganda has played at the final tournament three times – 2012 in Sudan, 2014 in South Africa and 2016 in Rwanda.

In all the three tournaments Uganda has taken part, the CECAFA giants have never gone past the group stage.

Democratic Republic of Congo is the defending champion.

Players expected in training:

  • Goalkeepers: Benjamin Ochan (KCCA), Ismail Watenga (Vipers), Tom Ikara (Kirinya-Jinja S.S) and Keni Saidi (Proline)
  • Defenders: John Adriko (SC Villa), Bernard Muwanga (SC Villa), Timothy Denis Awanyi (KCCA), Savio Kabugo (Proline), Paul Musamali (KCCA), Isaac Muleme (KCCA), Nico Wakiro Wadada (Vipers), Rashid Toha (Onduparaka)
  • Midfielders: Nicolas Kasozi (Synergy), Muzamiru Mutyaba (KCCA), Shafiq Kagimu (URA), Simon Sserunkuma (SC Villa), Erisa Ssekisambu (Vipers), Deus Bukenya (Vipers), Tom Masiko (Vipers), Frank ‘Zagga’ Tumwesigye (Vipers), Moses Waiswa (Vipers)
  • Strikers: Nelson Sentakuka (Proline), Paul Mucureezi (KCCA), Derrick Nsibambi (KCCA), Muhammed Shaban (Onduparaka)

David Isabirye is a senior staff writer for Kawowo Sports where he covers most of the major events.

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