The Uganda Cranes delegation in the Ethiopian city of Bahir Dar city was treated to a rude welcome with rather unfamiliar chilly conditions.
With the cold winds blowing off the the country’s largest water body, Lake Tana (the source of the Blue Nile), the conditions are indeed cold.
On Friday, the temperature read 18°C with the precipitation rate at 56%, humidity at 87%as the wind movement scale spelt 5 km/h.
Virtually, it has been raining since June 2021 but it is not all sorrow for team Uganda since the same conditions are being experienced in Nairobi, the venue for Uganda Cranes’ group E FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifier.
In Nairobi, the conditions on Friday read; 18°C, precipitation (0%), humidity (43%) and wind movement at 8 km/h compared to Kampala’s 22°C, precipitation (2%), humidity (73%) and wind movement at 6 km/h.
Uganda Cranes is using the Bahir Dar training base as a precursor to the Kenyan game with Sunday’s international friendly against Ethiopia a perfect test.
“We brought the camp to Bahir Dar because of the similarity in weather like Nairobi and the players are adjusting accordingly. Then, the international build up against Ethiopia will prepare the team for the Kenyan clash” Micho disclosed.
Meanwhile, the team held a training session at the Bahir Dar international stadium on Friday evening.
The five players added to the team all trained. Moses Waiswa, Joseph Benson Ochaya, Tadeo Lwanga, Khalid Aucho and goalkeeper Isima Watenga all trained with the 20 players who left Kampala on Thursday morning.
In the morning, the team had conducted a theory and demonstration session at the hotel.
Training resumes on Saturday with a training match at the same venue before Sunday’s international friendly match against Ethiopia.
Uganda Cranes play Kenya Harambee Stars on 2nd August 2021.
Four days later, Uganda Cranes will host West Africans Mali at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
Delegation currently in Ethiopia:
Players:
- Goalkeepers: Isima Watenga (Chippa United, South Africa), Charles Lukwago (KCCA), Joel Mutakubwa (Express)
- Defenders: Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Enock Walusimbi (Express), Innocent Esimu Wafula (KCCA), Abdu Aziizi Kayondo (Vipers), Halidi Lwaliwa (Vipers), Murushid Juuko (Express), Gavin Mugweri Kizito (SC Villa), Kenneth Ssemakula (SC Villa)
- Midfielders: Tadeo Lwanga (Simba, Tanzania), Khalid Aucho (Young Africans, Tanzania), Abdu Lumala (Pyramids, Egypt), Moses Waiswa (Super Sport United), Denis Iguma (KCCA), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Vipers), Shafik Kuchi Kagimu (URA), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers), Milton Karisa (Vipers)
- Forwards: Steven Dese Mukwala (URA), Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Captain – Unattached), Richard Basangwa (Vipers), Yunus Junior Sentamu (Vipers), Martin Kizza (Express)
Officials:
- Leader of Delegation: Isa Magoola
- Head coach: Milutin Sredojevic
- Assistant coach: Moses Basena
- Goalkeeping coach: Fred Kajoba Kisitu
- Performance Coach: Franck Plaine
- Fitness Coach: Felix Ayobo
- Team Coordinator: Geofrey Massa
- National Teams officer: Paul Mukatabala
- Team Physician: Emmanuel Nakabago
- Team Physiotherapist: Ivan Ssewanyana
- Kit Manager 1: Ayub Balyejusa
- Kit Manager 2: Samuel Mulondo
- Media: David Isabirye
Nice set up and preparation.