2022 World Cup qualifiers: Micho names provisional 🇺🇬Cranes squad

Uganda Cranes’ new head coach Milutin Sredojevic ‘Micho’ has named a strong provisional squad to begin preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Micho has summoned a youthful squad that includes several locally based players and three foreign based players that are currently in Uganda (off season). The remaining foreign based legion will be named at a later date.

The summoned squad which includes a couple of former and current U-20 players has four (4) goalkeepers, eleven (11) defenders, nine (9) midfielders & seven (7) forwards.

Expectedly, Kyetume FC midfielder Nicholas Kasozi (highly rated by MICHO), on form Express FC duo of Muzamiru Mutyaba & Martin Kizza have bounced back to the national team fold.

Meanwhile Dennis Iguma, Aboubakar Gift Ali and Hassan Muhamood are also back in the team whilst Mbarara City’s Jude Ssemugabi has received his maiden summon.

The summoned squad is expected to enter a residential camp at Cranes Paradise on Saturday after undergoing a mandatory Covid-19 tests and it is understood that the team will start training on Monday, 16th August at a venue that will be communicated later.

This will go on up to Saturday before the team departs for the foreign camp in Jordan.

In Jordan, Uganda Cranes will have two friendly games against the Syria National Team coming on 23rd and 26th August.The team will then depart for Ethiopia on 27th August for another friendly game two days later. The remaining foreign based players will join the team here.

After the friendly game against Ethiopia, Uganda Cranes contingent will then move to Nairobi, Kenya on 31st August ahead of the first 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier game against the Harambee Stars.

Uganda is in Group E of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers alongside Kenya, Rwanda and Mali.

🇺🇬CRANES PROVISIONAL SQUAD FOR 2022 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

GOALKEEPERS :

Joel Mutakubwa (Express FC), Charles Lukwago (KCCA FC), Simon Tamale (Soltilo Bright Stars FC), Nafian Alionzi (URA FC)

DEFENDERS:
Enock Walusimbi (Express FC), Innocent Wafula (Mbarara City FC), Paul Willa (Vipers SC), Eric Ssenjobe (Police FC), Aziizi Kayondo (Vipers SC), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers SC), Murushid Juuko (Express FC) Garvin Kizito Mugweri (SC Villa), Kenneth Ssemakula (SC Villa), Hassan Muhamood (Police FC), Denis Iguma (KCCA FC)

MIDFIELDERS:
Nicholas Kasozi (Kyetume FC), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Vipers SC), Muzamiru Mutyaba (Express FC), Shafik Kuchi Kagimu (URA FC), Ali Abubaker Gift (KCCA FC), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers SC), Milton Karisa (Vipers SC), Abdu Lumala (Pyramids FC)

FORWARDS:
Richard Basangwa (Vipers SC), Steven Dese Mukwala (URA FC), Patrick Henry Kaddu (RS Berkene), Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Unattached), Yunus Ssentamu (Vipers SC), Jude Ssemugabi (Mbarara City FC), Martin Kizza (Express FC)

UGANDA CRANES PREPARATION PROGRAMME
Friday,13th August 2021
Preliminary squad of local based players plus foreign-based players currently in Uganda summoned.

Saturday, 14th August 2021
Team enters residential camp at Cranes Paradise Hotel after undergoing COVID-19 tests.

Monday, 16th August 2021
Team starts training (Venue will be communicated).

Saturday, 21st August 2021
Team departs for foreign training camp in Jordan (2 build up games against Syria will be played here on 23rd and 26th August).

Friday, 27th August 2021
Team departs for Adis Ababa, Ethiopia. Majority of the foreign based players will join the team here.

Sunday, 29th August 2021
Friendly game against Ethiopia.

Tuesday, 31st August 2021
Team arrives in Nairobi for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Kenya.

Thursday, 2nd September 2021
Kenya vs Uganda at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi.