By Denis Turyahebwa
The Interim Uganda cranes technical team has on Friday 4th March 2021 summoned a total of 31 players that will feature in the final two 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification games against Malawi and Burkina Faso.
READ ALSO: Celebrations: Uganda Hippos Register History Of Entering AFCON Finals, Smashes Tunisia To Ash
Abdallah Mubiru, the Uganda Cranes assistant coach together with coach Livingstone Mbabazi named the team on Friday morning in a brief function held at FUFA Complex, Mengo.
Mubiru confirmed that the team will enter the residential camp on 18th March at the Cranes Paradise Hotel.
“The team will enter residential camp on 18th March 2021 at Cranes Paradise Hotel to prepare for Burkina Faso and Malawi,” Mubiru said.
READ ALSO: Onyango Injured As Sundowns Punish Belouizdad, AFCON Resumes Today
This comes just days after FUFA has directed the cranes head coach Jonathan Mckinstry to step aside for a period of a month which means he can’t be on the touchline for both qualification fixtures which calls for Mubiru and Mbabazi to take the role.
This is not the first time Mubiru has taken charge of the Cranes having managed the team before Mckinstry was appointed the head coach.
READ ALSO: Celebrations As Uganda Hippos Finally Get Through To AFCON U-20 Semi-finals
The team comprises of four goalkeepers, ten defenders, eleven midfielders, and six forwards.
Two players from the Uganda Hippos (U20) who are currently playing at the Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Mauritania have been included on the team named today.
These are captain Garvin Mugweri Kizito and midfielder Bobosi Byaruhanga.
Uche Ikpeazu Mubiru who features for Wycombe Wanders in the English Championship is also part of the team.
Uganda is second in group B on seven points and will face leaders Burkina Faso on 24th March in Kampala before playing the final fixture against Malawi away from home.
READ ALSO: AFCON U-20: Uganda Drawn Against Burkina Faso In Quarter Finals
At the same function, FUFA Communications Director, Ahmed Hussein launched the tag line for the home against Burkina Faso.
This is translated into four languages namely; English, Luganda, Runyakitara and Luo, thus; English- Seal it, Luganda- Tukiggale, Runyakitara – Tukimalirize, Luo- Opung Wie Oko
“The Uganda Cranes are still in contention for qualification to 2021 AFCON and we believe this can be achieved in the penultimate game against Burkina Faso at home. The purpose of this message to call upon fans to rally behind the team and support them from home because no fans are allowed in the stadium at the moment,” he said.
Full Squad Summoned
Goalkeepers:
Dennis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Jamal Salim (Al-Hilal, Sudan), Charles Lukwago(KCCA FC-Uganda), Kigonya Mathias ( Azam FC- Tanzania)
Defenders:
Mugabi Bevis (Motherwell FC- Scotland), Kizza Mustapha (DC Montreal- USA), Ronald Mukiibi(Ostersunds FK, Sweden), Nico Wakiro Wadada (Azam, Tanzania), Timothy Denis Awany (Sports Club Ironi, Ashdod, Israel), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, Democratic Republic of Congo), Lwaliwa Halid (Vipers SC-Uganda), Elvis Bwomono (Southend United, England), Juuko Murushid (Express FC-Uganda), Kizito Mugweri Gavin (SC Villa- Uganda)
Midfielders:
Miya Faruku (Konyaspor- Turkey), Kizito Luwagga (Hapoel Kfar Saba- Israel), Waiswa Moses (SupersportUnited-South Africa), Lwanga Taddeo (Simba SC- Tanzania), Michael Azira (New Mexico United-, USA), Khalid Aucho (Misr Lel Makasa, Egypt), Allan Kyambadde (El Gouna, Egypt), Allan Okello (Paradou, Algeria), Lumala Abdu (Pyramids FC- Egypt), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Vipers SC-Uganda), Orit Ibrahim (Vipers SC-Uganda).
Forwards:
Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Ittihad Alexandria, Egypt), Fahad Bayo (Sports Club Ironi Ashdod, Israel), KadduPatrick (Youssoufia Berrechid-Tunisia), Uche Mubiru Ikpeazu (Wycombe Wanderers, England), SentamuYunus (Vipers SC-Uganda), Isiagi Daniel (Jomo Cosmos-South Africa).
