Micho counting on youthful defence for result in Tripoli

May 29, 2013

ABBEY Dhaira has been brought in for Onyango while the two central defenders will be chosen from Savio Kabugo, Ivan Bukenya and Israel Emuge

By James Bakama

International friendly

Libya v Uganda (Saturday)

MILUTIN “Micho” Sredojevich will be trying out a new defense line in his first assignment with the Cranes this weekend.

The Cranes take on Libya away on Saturday night in a build-up for next week’s World Cup qualifier against Liberia at Namboole.

With first choice goalkeeper Dennis Onyango suspended for the Liberia game and central defenders Henry Kalungi and Andy Mwesigwa tied down with club commitments, Sredojevich has opted for young blood.

Abbey Dhaira has been brought on for Onyango while the two central defenders will be chosen from Savio Kabugo, Ivan Bukenya and Israel Emuge.

At right fullback, Denis Guma will be playing his second Nations Cup qualifying match as a replacement for veteran right full back Simeon Masaba. 

On the left Joseph Ochaya and Alex Kakuba will be in competition to determine who starts the game. Kira Young’s Kasagga Jjuuko and SC Victoria’s Kimera Ali have been the late additions to the squad.

The team departs at 3.45 am on Thursday morning aboard a Turkish Air flight via Dubai where they will link up with South Africa, Portugal and Vietnam based players Onyango, Ochaya, Geoffrey Kizito, Kisekka, Luwagga Kizito and Moses Oloya.

Sredojevich just can’t afford to go for a defensive game. There also can’t be a better opportunity to try out his attacking options ahead of the Liberia match where he has to win to keep Uganda’s chances of advancing alive.

Hamis Kiiza, who has been shining with Tanzanian giants Yanga, will be the most recognizable name upfront where Daniel Serunkuma will be making that long awaited appearance.

Serunkuma has been dazzling the Kenya Premier League with his superb ball control, deadly runs and goal scoring abilities. 

Sredojevich can only pray that the diminutive striker displays similar form in Tripoli.

Serunkuma turns out for the same club as towering Emuge who is a pillar in the Gor Mahia defense.

The Cranes have to win their three remaining matches if they are to advance to the final stage of the qualifiers.

Uganda hosts Liberia on June 8 then Angola a week later. The Cranes wind up the group’s matches with a match against Senegal on a neutral ground in September.

Squad to face Libya

Denis Onyango, Abby Dhaira and Ali Kimera, Iguma Denis, Emuge Israel, Kabugo Sam, Ivan Bukenya, Kakuba Alex, Ochaya Joseph, Wasswa Hassan, Musa Mudde, Kizito Geoffrey, Mpande Joseph, Kyeyune Said, Moses Oloya, Kisekka Henry, Kiiza Hamis, Kizito Luwagga, Serunkuuma Dan, Wadada Nicholas, Wasswa Herman and Kasagga Jjuuko Richard.

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