The Uganda Cranes are roaring for the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) finals and Mulitin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic finally announced the provisional squad for the event.
Uganda is among perennial participants for the tournament but has never played beyond the group stages some duck they will aim to break in Algeria.
Micho’s squad had some surprise inclusions while some other players were shockingly left out of the 35-man squad.
Some of these individuals should consider themselves unlucky to not be on the squad here, Ismael Kiyonga takes a closer look at the top 10 players who missed out.
Benjamin Ochan (KCCA)
Arguably the most experienced goalkeeper in the league at the moment and he has performed well for the Kasasiro this campaign.
His presence has stabilised the KCCA defence and has fabulous ball distribution.
Hassan Ssenyonjo (Wakiso Giants)
The Wakiso Giants skipper is one of the most consistent players in the league with top performances week in, week out.
His ball carrying skills, energy, ball distribution and intelligence makes him one of the best in the league at the moment.
And this season, he has added assists to his game and also got a rare goal.
And despite his physique, he is now no player of whatever size bullies off the ball.
Allan Mugalu (Arua Hill)
One of the most exciting central midfielders in the league with the ability to link defence to attacker and also splits defences easily with his exquisite through balls.
Denis Ojara (Onduparaka)
Ojara is one of the bright sparks in a dull Onduparaka side. He has good size and plays well as a central striker and replicates same when he is played at centre half like he has done.
Onduparaka could be at the base of the log but Ojara’s performances deserved a reward of a national team call up.
Lawrence Bukenya (Wakiso Giants)
Bukenya ranks top among the most intelligent defensive midfielders in the league this season.
The former KCCA midfielder has been a calming effect in the exciting Wakiso Giants midfield and one who dictates tempo of the game.
And this season, he has improved his ball distribution by playing forward passes and once in a while has that burst drive towards the opponents box as seen in the build in Wakiso Giants goals against Arua Hill and Express.
Karim Ndugwa (BUL)
The older he gets, the better he performs. Ndugwa has been the most consistent centre forward in the division since last season scoring and creating goals but has once again been overlooked.
Ndugwa will feel unlucky give players like Cromwell Rwothomio who have struggled in front of goal have been picked ahead of him.
Allan Kayiwa (Express FC)
The career of Kayiwa hasn’t gone as expected since he left Tooro United and his exclusion from the CHAN squad is a low point.
However, the winger-cum striker has been in good form this season after leaving Vipers with five goals and an assist from his Premier League appearances and his omission came as a surprise.
Ashraf Mugume (KCCA)
Mugume is one of the league’s leading midfielders and one of the most intelligent with or without the ball and scores that odd goal with his robust late runs into goal scoring areas.
The KCCA midfielder is unlucky to be left out will feel let down with Micho preferring Youngman who hardly played this season and even Moses Waiswa who he overshadows at the club over him.
Fred Amaku (Maroons)
Amaku is having a great time at the moment this season and his absence in a 35-man squad is kind of a shock. The Maroons striker has 7 goals to his name and despite not making the squad; his recent heroics suggest he may not be far away from a breakthrough.
