Cranes keeper Onyango, striker Shaban rest

PIC:  The Cranes goalkeepers Onyango, Salim and Odongkara warming up just before their game against Ghana on Tuesday. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

TOTAL AFRICA NATIONS CUP

On Saturday

Live on SS4/SS6

Egypt v Uganda (10pm)

Ghana v Mali (7pm)

James Bakama, New Vision sports writer in Port-Gentil

Coach Milutin Sredojevic is not about to stretch goalkeeper Denis Onyango.

With just a day left to Cranes' make or break encounter with Egypt, Sredojevic only allowed Onyango a brief warm-up in Thursday's training.

Upcoming striker Muhammad Shaban also attended the session at the Port-Gentil stadium training ground but remained on the bench.

"Shaban injured his calf muscle. So we want him to rest," explained a team official.

 
Onyango has on his part been having a thigh injury sustained in Uganda's recent friendly game against Ivory Coast.

The South Africa-based goalstopper was nevertheless Uganda's most outstanding player against Ghana.

"We don't want to stretch him. We want him to be at his best against Egypt," stated the same official.

Robert Odongkara and Jamal Salim Magoola completed the session in goal.