Dubai Camp excites Mckinstry and the Cranes

Cranes coach Johnathan McKinstry is excited about the mix the locally and foreign-based players have brought to the training camp at the Jebel Ali Training Center in Dubai.

After a six-month local-down because of the rampaging coronavirus pandemic, the national team is finally in camp to prepare for an AFCON qualifier against South Sudan next month as well as the Cameroon CHAN tournament that was moved to January.

 "We are happy with what the guys have brought to this first training session. We would have liked to get going a couple of days ago but for different situations," Mckinstry said.

"The players are excited to get to work on this quality facility, we have had a good quality session. It has been hot, but the players have put in a lot of effort in these conditions.

"It's been good intensity and good quality to the work and I think the combination between the home-based guys and the foreign legion has been really nice because they bring different things to the group.

Mckinstry believes both sets of players will learn from each other with time and is hoping each group can help the other tactically and technically.

 "Of course, the CHAN and CECAFA players have worked with the coaching staff a lot more so tactically they are a bit more advanced and we have told them they have to help their foreign-based brothers to pick up the tactics and on the other side, the foreign-based players maybe can technically see passes the local guys don't think of so the onus is on both sides to help each other out and try to raise the level.

"But overall we are pleased and we look forward to smaller group work. Everything is well so far we are happy with the hotel and the facilities," Mckinstry told FUFA media after the day-one workout.

The Cranes is for the first time joined by England-based players Elvis Bwomono (Southend FC) and Jayden Roy Onen (Reading FC) who are also excited to join their more experienced teammates.

"The boys have been welcoming to me. We are training very well and learning new things. It is the first international stage for me so I'm learning new things and new players. I have been well prepared for what the coach wants us to do and I just want to make sure I keep fit," Bomwono said.

"It's fantastic to play for the country, I was born in Uganda and my family is excited for me," he added.

"Everyone in the UK and Uganda has supported me and it's good to be here to learn from the professionals. I hope to keep working hard and meet the demands and the dream is to get to the AFCON and maybe one day to the world cup," Onen stated.

Cranes marksman Farouk Miya is also hoping the rest of the team members who were unable to join the Dubai camp can be able to link up with the rest before the South Sudan encounter.