Cranes resume training for return leg against Mauritania

By Silvano Kibuuka

The Cranes team has resumed training at Namboole in preparation of the return leg against Mauritania on August 3 in the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott.

The non residential training attracted 16 players including both the home based and the professionals who managed to stay back as their teams are still off season.

Cranes players doing runs at Namboole Photos/Silvano Kibuuka

The professionals still at home include Robert Odongkara, Isaac Isinde, Joseph Ochaya, Hamis Kiiza and Emma Okwi while those who went back and expected on Monday.

These include goal keeper Denis Onyango and striker Geoffrey Massa South Africa who scored the second goal of the day as the Cranes floored Mauritania 2-0 at Namboole last Saturday.

Cranes coach Micho Sredejovic instructing players at Namboole in preparation for the return leg against Mauritania

The other players who returned to their respective teams abroad are Godfrey Walusimbi and Geoffrey Kizito playing in Kenya, Kizito Luwagga from Portugal, Moses Oloya from Vietnam and Yunus Ssentamu playing in DR Congo.

Players are expected to enter camp on Sunday while Khalid Aucho based in Tusker FC in Kenya is also expected to join the team.

Other professional players are expected in camp on Monday

Aucho missed the first encounter against Mauritania due to amassing two yellow cards.

A draw against Mauritania will elevate the Cranes join the group stage of the AFCON preliminary matches.

Uganda is due to be drawn in group E with Ghana, Togo and Guinea.

Meanwhile the U-17 team, the Cubs is also expected to join camp at the FUFA training center in Njeru on Saturday also to vet up beat for the return leg against Rwanda in Kigali on Saturday.

The Cubs humiliated the Rwandan side by a 4-0 defeat on Saturday at Namboole in the preliminary match of the CAF U-17 competition.