- Saturday July 27, 2019
- Al Haji Hussein Guled stadium, Djibouti 6pm
Uganda Cranes begin their quest for another African Championship (Chan) finals with a preliminary round away first leg tie against Somalia.
The clash that will see interim head coach Abdallah Mubiru in charge of a first a competitive assignment for the Cranes will be played in Djibouti at the Al Hussein Guled stadium.
Mubiru is confident the team will pick a decent result that will see them finish the job in the return leg in Kampala a week later.
“We are ready,” stated Mubiru on arrival in Djibouti. “The players are ready and focused and looking forward to get better result,” he added.
“Everyone is working towards to the expectation of a national team player. Our main target is to get a good result that will put us in a front seat ahead of the return match.
Team News
There are no injuries reported in the camp with all players raring to go.
Key Stats
- This will be the 19th meeting between the two nations in all competitions and international friendlies
- Uganda has won a record 14, lost 2 and drawn 3 in the process
- The last meeting between the two sides was in CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup 2011 which Cranes won 4-0.
- Somalia beat Uganda 2-0 in the preliminary round of the 1974 Afcon qualifiers but Cranes overturned deficit with a 5-0 win at Nakivubo.
- Uganda are targeting qualification to a record 5th Chan finals while Somalia are seeking maiden qualification.
- Somalia has previously been coached by Ugandans; Sam Ssimbwa, Haruna Mawa and Charles Livingstone Mbabazi who is ironically assistant coach to Abdallah Mubiru at the moment.
Probable Cranes XI
Charles Lukwago (GK), Paul Willa, Mustafa Kizza, Timothy Awany ©, John Revita, Taddeo Lwanga, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Allan Okello, Allan Kyambadde, Patrick Kaddu and Shafik Kagimu
