By Brian Bariyo Tumuramye
The Uganda Cranes have already arrived in Egypt ahead of the upcoming 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.A delegation of 23 players and 12 officials was warmly received by the CAF protocol team at Cairo International Airport and the FUFA Advance party led by the leader of delegation and FUFA Executive member, Hon Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi.
The team reached Cairo at 7:30 PM aboard Egypt Air from Abu Dhabi and later checked in at Radisson Blu Hotel where they will be accommodated throughout their AFCON stay. Uganda is in Group A alongside hosts Egypt, DR Congo and Zimbabwe. The Cranes have spent the last month preparing for the tournament. Initially a squad of home-based and two unattached players, started training a month ago while camped at Kabira Country Club. They later played a friendly game with the COSAFA team before they flew to Abu Dhabi. In Abu Dhabi, they were joined by several professionals as the team beefed-up preps. While in Abu Dhabi, Uganda played two build-up games, drawing 0-0 with Turkmenistan and then defeating Ivory Coast 1-0. After such high levels of preparations, the Cranes are highly expected to better their last showing at the AFCON finals. In 2017, Uganda exited the competition at the group stage, having lost two and drawn one of their three games.
The final 23-man squad includes;
Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Jamal Salim (Al Hilal-Sudan), Robert Odongkara (Adama City, Ethiopia),Nico Wakiro Wadada (Azam, Tanzania), Brian Ronald Ddungu Mukiibi (Ostersunds, Sweden), Murushid Jjuuko (Simba, Tanzania), Bevis Mugabi (Yeovil Town, England), Isaac Muleme (FK Viktoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Un attached), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Timothy Denis Awanyi (KCCA FC, Uganda), Godfrey Walusimbi (Un-attached)Mike Azira (Montreal Impact, Canada), Allan Kateregga (Maritzburg, South Africa), William Kizito Luwagga (Shakhter Karagandy, Kazakhstan), Khalid Aucho (Church Hill Brothers, India), Faruku Miya (HNK Gorica, Croatia), Abdul Lumala (Syrianska, Sweden), Tadeo Lwanga (Vipers SC-Uganda) Patrick Henry Kaddu (KCCA FC, Uganda), Derrick Nsibambi (Smouha, Egypt), Allan Kyambadde (KCCA FC Uganda), Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Simba, Tanzania)
Officials in Egypt
FUFA President: Eng. Moses Magogo
Executive Committee Members: Issa Magola & Rogers Byamukama
Head Coach: Sebastien Desabre
Assistant coach: Mathias Lule
Goalkeeper coach: Fred Kajoba
Team Doctor: Dr. Ronald Kisolo
Physiotherapist: Dr. Ivan Ssewanyana
Team Chiropractor: Dr. Charles Sebwana
Media: Ahmed Hussein
Physical Fitness trainer: Gerome D’Antonio
Kit Managers: Lawrence Kizito and Ayub Balyejusa
