Micho weighs his options

By Fred Kaweesi

Nations Championship Uganda’s group matches January 12

Uganda v Burkina Faso
January 16
Zimbabwe v Uganda
January 20
Morocco v Uganda

Cranes have embarked on a rigorous training regime that should not only eliminate extra fat but also improve fitness levels ahead of the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN).

The sessions that intensified yesterday will run the course of four days before coach Micho Sredojevic finally decides on the 23 charges that will honourably represent the country in South Africa.

“I am working tirelessly on the fitness levels because that will be extremely crucial on how we perform in the tournament. Its then that I will decide on who will travel,” Micho pointed earlier.

Since assuming Cranes hot seat early this year, Micho has been credited for taking the right decisions when the calls come.

And yet with barely a fortnight to Cranes’ first CHAN group fixture against Burkina Faso, he faces a similar challenge of having to choose the right players for the tournament.

That of course includes juggling his way around ‘speculation’ linking players Tony Odur, Hassan Wasswa and Frank Kalanda with the team to South Africa.

A couple of months back, Odur and Wasswa opted to travel to Vietnam in pursuit for professional football just after helping Cranes qualify for CHAN.

But the latest developments indicate that the two and Kalanda are already manoeuvring a way back to the team.

 “Odur is already in the country hoping to re-join KCCA. Wasswa is willing to resolve his misunderstandings with KCCA while Kalanda is preparing to return as well,” a source close to the three players disclosed on Friday.

The Chan tournament that starts on January 11 is designed exclusively for players in domestic leagues, which means Odur, Wasswa and Kalanda must be affiliated to one of the domestic clubs to be legible for Chan.

When Micho was contacted over the three players in question, he stated: “I do not have full details on this but I will let you know on the way forward as soon as I get in touch with the three players.”

Micho is still sweating over Nicholas Wadada’s stitched right foot. The Vipers defender had a boda boda accident. “There is still time for him to recover,” Cranes team doctor Ronald Kisolo pointed. Rogers Aloro and Julius Ntambi are Wadada’s deputies.