Micho rebuilds CHAN team

By James Bakama and Swalley Kenyi

CHAN first leg, July 13

Tanzania v Uganda

COACH Milutin “Micho” Sredojevich will spend the next ten days doing everything within his means to build the spine of his Africa Nations Championship team.

Save for seasoned Cranes players like Hamza Muwonge, Denis Guma and Hassan Wasswa, the rest of the squad is dominated by newcomers.

This is in sharp contrast to the Tanzania side that Uganda plays away on July 13 in the first leg of the CHAN competition that only features home based players.

Tanzania, unlike Uganda whose senior side is dominated by foreign based players, will be fielding the same team that has been battling in the ongoing World Cup qualifiers.

The entire Taifa Stars team is based at home meaning that cohesion should be the least of their problems.

Unlike Uganda, whose players were undermined by a chaotic season featuring two leagues, Tanzania has the advantage of having concluded a highly competitive local competition.

But even with this advantage, Tanzania is leaving nothing to chance. Assistant coach Sylvester Mash has warned Tanzanians not to be overconfident.

Mash has fresh memories of qualifiers to the 2011 tournament where Uganda beat them home and away.

“There are people who think it is going to be easy for us. But we shall be playing against a very good team that is determined to go through….it is going to be a very tough game,” warned Mash. 

He said the only way they can succeed is to work hard and record a big first leg win. 

Tanzania will be without Samata Mbwana and Thomas Ulimgwengu upfront and defender Shomari Kapombe could also miss the encounter if he passes trials at Dutch top flight side FC Twente.

Full team in camp: 

Goal Keepers: H.Muwonge (Vipers), A. Kimera (SCVU), C.Lukwago (Proline)

Defenders: N.Wadada (Vipers), D.Iguma (SCVU), H.Kavuma (KCCA), H.Magombe (BUL), R.Kasaaga (Kiira), Y.Mukiisa (Proline), R.Malinga (KCCA), F.Kawooya (KCCA), A.Kisalita (SC Villa)

Midfielders: I.Ntege (KCCA), S.Sentamu (Entebbe), M.Birungi (KCCA), B.Nkumbi (Kiira Young), B.Majwega (KCCA), H.Mawanda (KCCA), J.Mpande (Vipers), R,Muganga (SC Villa)

Strikers: P.Edema (SCVU), E.Sekisambu (URA), W.Wadri (Proline)