Cranes coach Basena set to tinker lineup vs Rwanda

Cranes provisional tactician Moses Basena will be forced to tinker with the defence line that helped Uganda advance to the last round of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers when he guides the team in his first match as head coach.

He will not have Timothy Awany whose role in the defence against South Sudan in the second round of the qualifiers was visible.

Basena has lost Awany whose hardwork was visible against South Sudan in both Juba and Kampala last month because he left for trials at Ajax Cape Town football club in South Africa on Sunday.

The central defender leaves Basena with Bernard Muwanga, Savio Kabugo and Rashid Toha as the only options.

Although Basena admitted that Awany's absence ‘is a blow' to his plans against Rwanda, he was still optimistic for a positive result against Rwanda on Saturday.

"Indeed it is a blow to us but you should know that we train the players to take up any role. Besides it was not automatic for Awany to take up the role. There are other players who can deliver," Basena said.

The team that took a day's rest from training on Sunday resumes at the match venue at St Mary's stadium Kitende today before entering residential camp on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, in preparations for the game, Rwanda's Amavubi will face Sudan in an international friendly match at Kigali Stadium today.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Benjamin Ochan, Ismail Watenga, Tom Ikara, Keni Saidi

Defenders: John Adriko, Bernard Muwanga, Savio Kabugo, Paul Musamali, Isaac Muleme, Nicholas Wadada, Rashid Toha

Midfielders: Nicolas Kasozi, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Shafiq Kagimu, Simon Sserunkuma, Erisa Ssekisambu, Deus Bukenya, Tom Masiko, Frank ‘Zagga' Tumwesigye, Moses Waiswa

Strikers: Nelson Sentakuka, Paul Mucureezi, Derrick Nsibambi, Muhammed Shaban

CHAN 2018 Qualifiers

Saturday, 4 pm

Uganda v Rwanda - St Mary's Stadium

Charges

Ordinary sh15,000/=, VIP 25,000/= VVIP 50,000/=