International Friendly Matches:
- Saturday, 24th March 2018
- Uganda Cranes Vs Sao Tome and Principe
*At Mandela National Stadium ((4:45 pm)
Tuesday, 27th March 2018
- Uganda Cranes Vs Malawi
*At Mandela National Stadium (4 pm)
The sweet reward of hard toiling in most cases swiftly arrives as a surprise gift well packaged in enviable colorful wrappers.
As the Uganda Cranes nears the first international build up at home under new coach, Sebastien Desabre, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) first choice goalkeeper Charles Lukwago finds himself well positioned with blossom form.
Lukwago has been called to the team as a patch up for the injured St George goalkeeper Robert Odongkara.
Odongkara was originally among the three summoned players for national team duty but a troublesome knee that needs rest according to the doctors keeps him out for the time being.
The other two goalkeepers; Mamelodi Sundowns’ Dennis Onyango (also the team captain) and El Merriekh’s Salim Jamal Magoola remain part of the team.
Of the originally summoned team Odongkara joins Faruku Miya, Aucho Khalid and Edrisa Lubega among the players unable to make the team for varying reasons.
The team is accommodated at Ivy’s Hotel in Wakaliga.
Uganda Cranes will play two matches in the forthcoming international break; first against Sao Tome and Principe on Saturday, 24th March 2018 and against Malawi on Tuesday, 24th March 2018.
The game against Sao Tome and Principe will be handled by FIFA referees from Tanzania whilst Rwandese shall handle the one against Malawi.
Both games have been fully facilitated by the Government of Uganda and will cost an ordinary fan 5000/= each to watch.
Uganda Cranes Team Summoned:
- Goalkeepers: Denis Onyango – team captain (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Jamal Salim (El Merriekh, Sudan), Charles Lukwago (KCCA)
- Right Backs: Nico Wakiro Wadada (Vipers, Uganda), Denis Iguma (Al-Ahed SC, Lebanon)
- Left Backs: Alex Kakuba (C.D. Feirense on loan from Estoril Praia, Portugal), Godfrey ‘Jajja Walu’ Walusimbi (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Joseph Ochaya (Lusaka Dynamos, Zambia)
- Central Defenders: Bevis Kristofer Kizito Mugabi (Yeovil Town, England), Murushid Jjuuko (Simba, Tanzania), Isaac Isinde (Unattached), Timothy Dennis Awany (KCCA, Uganda)
- Defensive midfielders: Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (El-Geish, Egypt), Geofrey ‘Baba’ Kizito (Than Quảng Ninh, Vietnam), Tadeo Lwanga (Vipers, Uganda)
- Offensive midfielders: William Luwagga Kizito (CSM Politehnica Lași, Romania) Abraham Ndugwa (Masavu, Uganda), Milton Karisa (Vipers, Uganda)
- Forwards: Emmanuel Okwi (Simba, Tanzania), Yunus ‘Manucho’ Sentamu (Tirana, Albania), Hood Kawesa (Buildcon, Zambia), Fahad Bayo (Buildcon, Zambia), Derrick Nsibambi (KCCA, Uganda)