Mbabazi pardoned, Uganda ranked 108 by FIFA
IRELAND-BASED Charles Livingstone Mbabazi has been pardoned and recalled to the national soccer team Cranes.
By Norman Katende
IRELAND-BASED Charles Livingstone Mbabazi has been pardoned and recalled to the national soccer team Cranes.
The midfield star got a ministerial pardon last week, bringing to an end an indefinite ban he had got for dodging an international match.
Mbabazi went missing hours before Uganda beat Ghana 1-0 in an African Nations Cup tie in September. He failed to explain his absence, and soccer governing body FUFA banned him.
FUFA press secretary Paul Waibale Jr. yesterday told the weekly Nile Special Press Conference that Mbabazi, who plays for St.Patrick’s in Ireland, was one of four professional players expected back to boost the Cranes campaign.
“It was a ministry intervention that saw Mbabazi recalled to the national squad,†said Waibale. State ministers Mike Mukula (state for health duties) and Henry Oryem Okello (state for sports) ordered FUFA to reconsider the ban for the good of the team.
Cranes are preparing for a make-or-break Nations Cup qualifying tie against Rwanda March 29.
The others professional players expected are Sula Tenywa, who plays in Dallas Burn in America’s Major League Soccer and Meddie Nsubuga and Ibrahim Sekajja who play in the Argentine second division.
“We have formally written to all of them and are still waiting for a reply,†Waibale said.
Cranes: A. Magoola, P.Omwony, I. Mugisha, N.Kizito, T.Batabaire, S.Mubiru, R. Tumusime, G.Kateregga, A.Kaya, D.Iga, S.Masaba, S.Mubiru, E.Balyejusa, H.Kawesa, E.Watson, Ssuubi, A.Tabula, P.Ssozi, G.Ssali, N.Kasule, J.Kidega, Cr.Kasege, H.Mubiru, F.Okello, Y.Kinene, G.Sserunkuma, D.Kiwanuka and A.Isabirye.
By Mark Namanya
UGANDA has dropped one place to 108 in February’s world rankings by the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA).
A spell of no activity by the national team after the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in Tanzania, has seen Cranes drop six places in ranking from 102 in December to 107 in January and 108 now.
Uganda has 108 points in the FIFA/Coca-Cola rankings that have World champions Brazil (852 points) on top.
France are second with 784 points while Cameroon are Africa’s best placed team in 17th position. Senegal are ranked 27th and Nigeria 29th.
Uganda had hitherto been on a steady rise towards their best position ever, 66th, reached in 1995.
Uganda’s main Group 13 opponents in the Nations Cup qualifiers Ghana are ranked 59th while Rwanda, who host Uganda next month, are 125th.
Kenya, in 80 th position is the region’s highest ranked nation.
The rankings are based on regional competitions, friendlies and qualifying matches for continental and world tournaments through the year.
Ends
IRELAND-BASED Charles Livingstone Mbabazi has been pardoned and recalled to the national soccer team Cranes.
The midfield star got a ministerial pardon last week, bringing to an end an indefinite ban he had got for dodging an international match.
Mbabazi went missing hours before Uganda beat Ghana 1-0 in an African Nations Cup tie in September. He failed to explain his absence, and soccer governing body FUFA banned him.
FUFA press secretary Paul Waibale Jr. yesterday told the weekly Nile Special Press Conference that Mbabazi, who plays for St.Patrick’s in Ireland, was one of four professional players expected back to boost the Cranes campaign.
“It was a ministry intervention that saw Mbabazi recalled to the national squad,†said Waibale. State ministers Mike Mukula (state for health duties) and Henry Oryem Okello (state for sports) ordered FUFA to reconsider the ban for the good of the team.
Cranes are preparing for a make-or-break Nations Cup qualifying tie against Rwanda March 29.
The others professional players expected are Sula Tenywa, who plays in Dallas Burn in America’s Major League Soccer and Meddie Nsubuga and Ibrahim Sekajja who play in the Argentine second division.
“We have formally written to all of them and are still waiting for a reply,†Waibale said.
Cranes: A. Magoola, P.Omwony, I. Mugisha, N.Kizito, T.Batabaire, S.Mubiru, R. Tumusime, G.Kateregga, A.Kaya, D.Iga, S.Masaba, S.Mubiru, E.Balyejusa, H.Kawesa, E.Watson, Ssuubi, A.Tabula, P.Ssozi, G.Ssali, N.Kasule, J.Kidega, Cr.Kasege, H.Mubiru, F.Okello, Y.Kinene, G.Sserunkuma, D.Kiwanuka and A.Isabirye.
By Mark Namanya
UGANDA has dropped one place to 108 in February’s world rankings by the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA).
A spell of no activity by the national team after the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in Tanzania, has seen Cranes drop six places in ranking from 102 in December to 107 in January and 108 now.
Uganda has 108 points in the FIFA/Coca-Cola rankings that have World champions Brazil (852 points) on top.
France are second with 784 points while Cameroon are Africa’s best placed team in 17th position. Senegal are ranked 27th and Nigeria 29th.
Uganda had hitherto been on a steady rise towards their best position ever, 66th, reached in 1995.
Uganda’s main Group 13 opponents in the Nations Cup qualifiers Ghana are ranked 59th while Rwanda, who host Uganda next month, are 125th.
Kenya, in 80 th position is the region’s highest ranked nation.
The rankings are based on regional competitions, friendlies and qualifying matches for continental and world tournaments through the year.
Ends