AFCON 2017: Mawejje confident Cranes will reach knockout stage

Uganda Cranes midfielder Tony Mawejje believes that Uganda has a chance of going past the group stages in the 2017 AFCON finals.

The tournament will take place in Gabon from January 14 until February 5.

Mawejje, who was part of the Cranes training on Tuesday after joining the camp with Murushid Jjuuko, feels excited to be part of the upcoming tournament.

"As a player, it means a lot to me because I have longed for it for quite a long period of time. I am going to utilize this lifetime opportunity to exhibit to the maximum," he said.

The Iceland-based player said Cranes will advance to the knockout phase since the team believes they have what it takes.

Three sessions are now being conducted to ensure that the players are fit (morning at 6.45am local time, mid-morning at 11am and in the evening at 5pm).

The Tuesday session started with gym sessions at Acacia Mall.

Players in Camp at the moment:

Goalkeepers: Isma Watenga (Vipers, Uganda), Benjamin Ochan (KCCA, Uganda)

Defenders: Ronald Mukiibi (Östersunds FK, Sweden), Denis  Iguma (AlAhed, Lebanon), Joseph Nsubuga (SC Villa Jogoo, Uganda), Nicholas Wadada (Vipers, Uganda), Joseph Ochaya (KCCA, Uganda), Shafiq Batambuze (Tusker, Kenya), Isaac Isinde (St George, Ethiopia), Timothy Awany (KCCA, Uganda), Richard Kassaga Jjuuko (URA, Uganda), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers, Uganda), Rashid Toha (Onduparaka, Uganda), Murshid Juuko (Simba,Tanzania)

Midfielders: Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Vipers, Uganda),  Kizito Kezironi (Vipers, Uganda), Muzamiru Mutyaba (KCCA, Uganda), Saddam Juma (Express, Uganda), Godfrey Walusimbi (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Paul Mucurezi (KCCA, Uganda), Martin Kizza (SC Villa Jogoo, Uganda) and Abdulmalick Vitalis Tabu (SC Villa Jogoo, Uganda), Tonny Mawejje (Thotur,Iceland).

Strikers: Geofrey Sserunkuma (KCCA, Uganda), Muhammed Shaban (Onduparaka, Uganda), Yunus Sentamu (Ilves, Finland), Derrick Nsibambi (KCCA, Uganda), Edrisa Lubega (Proline, Uganda), Erisa Ssekisambu (Vipers, Uganda)