Cranes to play West African team in warm up matches

May 07, 2015

Uganda Cranes will play a warm up match against a West African opponent in Kampala before their opening AFCON 2017 qualifier against Botswana on June 13.

By Swalley Kenyi

Uganda Cranes will play a warm up match against a West African opponent in Kampala before their opening AFCON 2017 qualifier against Botswana on June 13.

Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic confirmed the encounter scheduled for June 9 in Kampala but refused to reveal the opponent for "technical reasons."

"We have already agreed with a West African team to pass by Kampala and play two friendly matches on their way to play their qualifier in another country. One of the friendlies will be open to the public but the second one will be closed," Micho said.

The Serb, however, outlined the preparation programmes for the U-23, CHAN and the senior Cranes teams which he referred to as 'two months of hell' for the teams and the technical staff.

The preparations will involve the Cranes na Mutima tour of West Nile, residential camps and intensive scouting and wooing of foreign based Ugandans to take part in the campaigns. 

A group of 50 players targeted for CHAN and the U-23 squads started weekly trainings (Sundays) at the Phillip Omondi stadium, Lugogo last weekend.

The U-23 team is preparing for second round match of the Africa Youth Championship qualifiers away on May 23. The Kobs expect to face this weekend's aggregate winner between Somalia and Rwanda in Djibouti. Rwanda won the first leg in Kigali 2-0.

The senior Uganda Cranes team will open the 2017 Africa Nations Cup qualifiers with a home match against Botswana on June 13. 

The CHAN team launches its 2016 qualifiers campaign with a match against Tanzania in Dar es Salam on June 20 before the return leg in Kampala in a fortnight.

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