Cranes'' friendly with Iraq called off

By Swalley Kenyi

FIFA has rejected the international friendly between Uganda and Iraq for the second time in three months today.

Without giving details of the decision, FUFA head of communications Rogers Byamukama confirmed cancellation of the match that was due on Wednesday.

The Cranes return to Kampala on Tuesday evening from Cairo where they had another international friendly with Egypt Monday night en route to Amman in Jordan where they expected to play Iraq.

“The last time I communicated with our team from Cairo, they told me that the Cranes was coming back. I don’t know what time they will arrive here but I know they are returning,” Byamukama told New Vision Sport in an exclusive interview.

Uganda Cranes players and officials left for an impromptu international friendly match against Egypt in Cairo on Sunday and played on Monday night.

They expected world soccer governing body FIFA to sanction another friendly with Iraq on a neutral ground in Amman City, Jordan by midday on Monday so that they would proceed for it after playing the Pharaohs.

At the time of departure from Kampala, an official with the travelling party said that, “we expect FIFA to confirm the friendly before we can proceed.”

This is because in July, Cranes on FIFA’s advice turned down an invitation to play their Iraqi counterparts in Erbil City, 325km north of the capital Baghdad due to safety concerns.

The squad: Bwete Brian, Ochan Benjamin, Nicholas Wadada, Simon Namwanja, Mukisa Yusuf, Mugabi Jonathan, Ayub Kisalita, Mpande Joseph, Feni Moses Ali, Richard Kasagga, Wasswa Hassan, Kyeyune Saidi, Majwega Brian, Kalanda Frank, Manko Kaweesa, Simon Okwi.