Mutumba in squad to face Liberia

By Swalley Kenyi

World Cup qualifier

Saturday

Uganda v Liberia

CRANES central defenders Israel Emuge and Ivan Bukenya and are among the players who have been dropped from Coach Milutin Sredojević’s 26 man squad that is preparing for Uganda’s World Cup qualifier against Liberia on Saturday.

Sweden based midfielder Martin Mutumba who endured a torrid time in his first two games for Uganda and faced a barrage of criticism from the fans has been included for the first time since October 2012.

Cranes technical team and Sredojevic reviewed the squad that travelled to Libya for a friendly match before deciding on which players to release.

“We are going for a meeting where he (Sredojević) is expected to justify release of the players. But generally it will be about releasing players that failed to impress in Libya,” a source in the technical team said before the decision was made this afternoon.

Isaac Isinde and Henry Kalungi will replace Emuge and Bukenya while and Ethiopia based goalkeeper Robert Odongkara has been considered as a backup for Abbey Dhaira whose performance in Tripoli left a lot to be desired.

Dennis Onyango is suspended for the Liberia game.

Sporting Covilhã left-back Alex Kakuba who has impressed after coming on in the second half against Libya has made it into the final squad.

Striker Herman Wasswa who missed a host of chances to score in Tripoli has been dropped altogether. Miedfielder Musa Mudde who was unimpressive in the same game has also been dropped by Sredojevic.

The Liberian delegation jets into the country this afternoon and will be accommodated at Sojovalo Hotel in Rubaga. Match tickets will go on sale tomorrow.

SQUAD: Denis Onyango, Abby Dhaira, Hamza Muwonge, Ali Kimera, Robert Odongokara, Denis Iguma, Joseph Ochaya, Nicholas Wadada, Isaac Isinde, Joseph Mpande, Said Kyeyune, Hamis Kiiza, Moses Oloya, Baba Kizito, Luwagga Kizito, Andy Mwesigwa (cpt), Emmanuel Okwi, Tonny Mawejje, Godfrey Walusimbi, Martin Mutumba, Massa Geofrey, Henry Kalungi, Alex Kakuba, Henry Kisekka, Dan Sserunkuuma, Borban Zirintuusa, Richard Kasagga and Robert Ssentongo.