Bukenya edges closer to Kaizer Chiefs move

By James Bakama

IVAN Bukenya could become the second Ugandan to play for South African giants Kaizer Chiefs.

The defender, who has since 2011 been playing for Iraqi side Erbil, will this week begin trials with the Premier Soccer League champions.

Bukenya is following in the footsteps of David Obua who sparkled at the same club. Obua won the championship and South African Player of the Year accolade in the 2006-07 season.

Kaizer Chiefs, popularly known as Amakhosi, are according to South Africa’s top soccer publication Laduma supposed to try out Bukenya and another defender from Ghana.

Laduma had earlier reported that Amakhosi were due to test the players at a camp in the North Eastern capital of Nelspruit. However due to a snag in processing visas neither of the players were able to take part.

Bukenya, the former Proline centre back has featured for the Cranes. He was part of the Cranes side that lost 3-0 away to Libya last month.

If he succeeds in the trials he will join other Ugandans Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns), Posnet Omwony (Black Leorpards) Timothy Batabaire and Geoffery Serunkuma (Vasco Da Gama).

Meanwhile, Uganda’s team for the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) return leg against Tanzania resumes training this morning at Namboole. Residential sessions begin on Monday.

Left back Habib Kavuma is back on the 25-man squad after serving a suspension. The newcomers in the team include Hashim Ssempala, William Wadri, Willy Kavuma, Augustine Nsumba, David Kasirye, Ismael Wetaga, Aziz Kemba and Simon Okwi.

Tonny Odur is out because of a hamstring injury while Patrick Edema travelled to Portugal for trials.