AFCON: Micho tells players to 'earn' their place

Uganda Cranes coach Milutin Sredojevic, best known as Micho, has cautioned his players to work hard if they to be on the  final squad that will represent Uganda at the AFCON finals in Gabon early next year.

Micho made the remarks after releasing a 40-man squad for the preparations ahead of the Nations Cup.

That number will be trimmed down to 23 players.

"We selected a blend of experience and youth who are the future of Ugandan football," said the Serbian tactician who guided The Uganda Cranes to the finals of the continent's biggest football tournament for the first time in nearly four decades.

"Nobody will be gifted and awarded a place. As from now on the counter is on zero, where all 40 players are in healthy competition to earn and deserve to be in the final 23," said Micho.

Some of the players on the released squad have started training.

Uganda is grouped with Mali and World Cup qualifiers rivals Ghana and Egypt. The last time The Cranes were at the Nations Cup, they lost 2-1 to Ghana in the 1978 final.

THE SQUAD

Goalkeepers:  Denis Onyango , Robert  Odongkara ,  Salim Jamal ,  Isma Watenga , Benjamin  Ochan

Defenders:  Dennis Iguma , Joseph  Nsubuga ,  Nicholas Wadada ,Joseph Ochaya ,  Shafiq Batambuze, Isaac Isinde , Murushid  Juuko, Ronald Mukiibi , Timothy Awanyi , Richard  Kassaga , Halid Lwaliwa , Rashid Toha

Midfielders: Khalid  Aucho , Tony Mawejje,  Hassan Wasswa ,  Mike Azira, Geoffrey  Kizito, Keziron Kizito, Muzamiru Mutyaba ,  Yasser Mugerwa , Sadam Juma,  Moses Oloya , William Kizito Luwaga, Godfrey Walusimbi ,  Paul Mucureezi , Martin Kiiza, Vitalis Tabu

Strikers: Farouk  Miya,  Geoffrey Massa, Geoffrey Serunkuma , Shaban Mohammed, Yunus  Sentamu, Derrick Nsibambi , Edrisa Lubega , Erisa Sekisambu