Uganda Cranes international build up matches:
- 9th June 2019: Uganda Cranes Vs Turkmenistan – New York University play- ground, Abu Dhabi
- 15th June 2019: Uganda Cranes Vs Ivory Coast (Venue to be confirmed)
Uganda Cranes AFCON 2019 Matches (Group A):
- 22nd June: Democratic Republic of Congo Vs Uganda Cranes – Cairo International Stadium, Cairo (5:30 PM)
- 26th June: Uganda Cranes Vs Zimbabwe – Cairo International Stadium, Cairo (8:00 PM)
- 30th June: Uganda Cranes Vs Egypt – Cairo International Stadium, Cairo (10:00 PM)
Uganda Cranes offensive midfielder William Luwagga Kizito believes that the team’s training camp in Abu Dhabi prior to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament is of great significance.
Currently based in Kazakhstan with Shakhter Karagandy Football Club, Luwagga is part of the national team preparing for the AFCON championship in Egypt.
We have got a chance that we have joined camp early. Abu Dhabi is a good place as the weather condition is almost similar to that of Egypt so I think we have enough time to rectify our mistakes and come AFCON, we shall be ready.
Luwagga and Sudan based goalkeeper Salim Jamal trained for the first time with the rest of team players on Monday evening.
Uganda Cranes is pooled in group A alongside hosts Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zimbabwe.
The Cranes’ opening match at AFCON 2019 will be against Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Saturday, 22nd June 2019.
They will then take on 26th June against Zimbabwe before the final group match with the hosts on 30th June 2019.
The Uganda Cranes is currently based at the Park Rotana hotel in Abu Dhabi.
They will play two international build-up matches against Asian country Turkmenistan and Ivory Coast on 9th and 15th June 2019 respectively.
Uganda Cranes Players Currently in Abu Dhabi
Goalkeeper: Denis Onyango (Captain), Salim Jamal Magoola
Defenders: Bevis Mugabi, Isaac Muleme, Joseph Benson Ochaya, Timothy Denis Awanyi, Godfrey Walusimbi
Midfielders: Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Vice Captain), Abdu Lumala, William Luwagga Kizito, Kirizestom Ntambi, Faruku Miya, Murushid Jjuuko, Moses Waiswa, Ibrahim Sadam Juma, Khalid Aucho, Taddeo Lwanga, Allan Kyambadde
Forwards: Alexis Bbakka, Derrick Nsibambi, Patrick Henry Kaddu
Team Officials
- Leader of Delegation: Mr. Issa Magoola
- Head coach: Sebastien Desabre
- Assistant coach: Mathias Lule
- Goalkeeper coach: Fred Kajoba
- Team Doctor: Dr. Ronald Kisolo
- Team Coordinator: Crispus Muyinda
- Physiotherapist: Dr. Ivan Ssewanyana
- Team Chiropractor: Dr. Charles Sebwana
- Media: Ahmed Hussein
- Physical Fitness trainer: Jerome D’Antonio
- Kit Managers: Lawrence Kizito and Ayub Balyejusa
The Cranes’ team needs to transition faster from defence to attack.
Once the defenders get the ball, it should be off to the races.
Defenders need to score more goals. Attackers need to shoot more and often.
If you miss, that’s OK, just keep shooting.
And when you get tired please, don’t send high crosses to short targets against tall defenders.
Our players grew up on poor pitches, playing “air balls” and resort to the “air balls” when fatigued.
So whip them into shape and teach the youngsters when to cross a low ball and a high ball. Heck, pass through the middle!
For heaven’s sake shoot the damn ball!