Magumba off team

By Daniel Saire Cranes coach Leo Adraa’s selection woes continued yesterday after he discovered that he will travel to Kigali minus midfield king-pin Hakim Magumba. Magumba is down with malaria. That leaves Adraa minus three of his most senior players. Medi Nsubuga was left behind to look after a sick relative while Hassan Mubiru was dropped after he failed to turn up for training. Goalkeeper Sam Kawalya(captain) and right-back Richard Malinga are now the most capped players on the squad out to defend their CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup title. The team leaves by road today for the two-week tournament that kicks off on Saturday at Amahoro stadium. New FUFA vice president John Semanobe is chef de mission. The Cranes are in group B with Tanzania Djibouti and Burundi. Their first game is against Djibouti on Sunday. Assistant coach Charles Namakhola was optimistic the youthful Cranes side will put up a spirited fight. “This gives them chance to show their potential and I know they will not let us down,” he said. The team: Sam Kawalya, Medi Nsubuga, Richard Malinga, Nestroy Kizito, Francis Gonzaga, Michael Juuko, Henry Kabeta, Noah Kasule, Davis Odowa, Alex Isabirye, Peter Rwebuga, George Otika, Shappy Nkow, Robert Kabanda, Peter Makanga, Katembo Muserero, Sam Naduli and Nathan Mutenza. ends