AFCON 2019 qualifiers buildup: Cranes begin camp

May 30, 2017

“We have showed seriousness with the friendly matches because winning in Cape Verde is a break game."

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES

Ethiopia v Uganda - Hawassa, 4pm (June 3)

Senegal v Uganda -Dakar, 6pm (June 6)

AFCON 2019 QUALIFIER

Cape Verde v Uganda Cranes - Praia, Estádio da Várzea (June 10)

Uganda Cranes coach Milutin Sredejovic is confident a win in their opening AFCON 2019 qualifier against Cape Verde away on June 10 will give his team a huge advantage to compete for a slot in the finals in Cameroon.

Uganda is in group L of the qualifiers together with Cape Verde, Tanzania and Lesotho.

The Uganda Cranes entered camp at Sky Hotel with double training sessions at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole before flying to Ethiopia on Thursday.

Cranes will play a friendly match against their host (Ethiopia) at Hawassa International Stadium on Saturday (June 3) and then proceed to Dakar, Senegal for another build-up match against Senegal three days later.

Micho said the friendly matches are meant to fully prepare his team for the game against Cape Verde.

"We have showed seriousness with the friendly matches because winning in Cape Verde is a break game. In case of a win it will give us a competitive edge. We shall be on the road to qualify for 2019 Cameroon finals," said the Serbian tactician.

He insists that his team is based on individual performance.

"People will be surprised we have not gone with sentiments about players who have played in the past. We are not going for entertainment. We have picked a team that could possibly give us a win in Cape Verde."

The Cranes leave for Ethiopia with over 20 players, of some will be flown back to Kampala as the rest proceed to Dakar, Senegal.   

KCCA FC players who Sredejovic has not announced yet and first choice goalkeeper Denis Onyango who have CAF matches to play this weekend will join the Cranes on Sunday.

Mauritanian FIFA match referee Lemghaifry Bouchaab assisted by Aderahmane Warr and Hamedine Diba will handle the Cranes match at Estádio da Várzea in Praia city.

Lemghaifry was the centre referee at the latest AFCON finals in Gabon when the Cranes played to a 1-1 draw against Mali in Gabon.

The squad in camp today include:

Goalkeepers: Ismail Watenga, Tom Ikara, Said Keni, Emmanuel Rubangkene

Defenders: Nicholas Wadada, Murshid Juuko, Hassan Wasswa, Godfrey Walusimbi, Savio Kabugo, Bernard Muwanga, Shafiq Batambuze, Joseph Ochaya, Douglas Odagui

Midfielders: Tadeo Lwanga, Deus Bukenya, Nicholas Kasozi, Shafiq Kagimu, Martin Kizza, Robert Kakeeto

Forwards: Emmanuel Okwi, Nelson Senkatuka, Muhammad Shaban, Milton Kariisa, Faruku Miya

 

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