Cranes face Mauritania at Namboole stadium

By Fred Kaweesi

International friendly Today, 4.30pm Uganda v Mauritania

Cranes will approach today’s international friendly against Mauritania with purpose for two principle reasons.

The outfit made up of locally- based players is aware that a win at Namboole Stadium will not only motivate the team ahead of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN).

A superb performance from each member that will be fielded against the Mauritanians will earn them an outright ticket to South Africa.

On Tuesday, Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic trimmed his squad to 23, which is the exact number needed for the championship designed exclusively for home-based players.

However, the Serb could still be tempted to drop a few if their performance is despicable.

“They know what I expect of them. I will look for character and the desire to perform. I want players that will be ready to fight all the way,” Micho stated, ahead of the game that will also present him with ideas on his preferred 11.

It will be particularly interesting to see how Hassan Wasswa fi ts into the team following his belated reinclusion.

The KCCA midfielder captained the side through the two qualifiers against Tanzania last year before travelling to Vietnam three months ago in search for a professional move.

Micho however will be pleased with Wasswa’s return considering that the team was clearly light in midfi eld. The other area that will be scrutinized is right-back where Nicholas Wadada might make a surprise return.

Wadada, who had been excluded from the preliminary CHAN squad with wounds suffered during a boda boda accident a couple of weeks back, trained with the team.

Goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan however could be rested after injuring his left eye in a collusion with defender Martin Mpuga in a training session.

Probable line-up: A.Kimera, J.Ntambi, I.Muleme, R.Kasagga, S.Kabugo, H.Wasswa, V.Kayizzi, J.Mpande, F.Olaki, S.Okwi, B.Majwega.