By Frank Kamuntu
Although Lumala Abdul and Alexis Bakka were part of the team which drew 0-0 with Burkina Faso, they did not travel back to train with the rest of the team as Uganda prepared to face Malawi in their second Group B match against Malawi.
The Cranes will play Malawi on November 17, 2019 in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers without the duo.
However, senior Uganda Cranes coach Jonathan Mckinstry has not revealed why Lumala and Bakka have not been included on the squad.
Lumala featured for 90 minutes while Bakka came on to replace Patrick Kaddu during the match against Burkina Faso and the two stars have never played for the Cranes in the presence of their home fans.
With Lumala missing, head coach McKinstry could field either Luwagga Kizito or Allan Kyambadde while Vipers SC’s striker Fahad Bayo could fill Bakka’s place.
Meanwhile, the Flames arrived in Uganda on Friday ahead of the match which is set to be played at Mandela National Stadium in Namboole.
Malawi Full Team:
Goalkeepers: William Thole (Be Forward Wanderers, Malawi), Brighton Munthali (Silver Strikers, Malawi),
Defenders: Lucky Malata (Be Forward Wanderers, Malawi), Gomezgani Chirwa (Civo United, Malawi), Peter Cholopi (Be Forward Wanderers, Malawi), Stanley Sanudi (Be Forward Wanderers), Nickson Nyasulu (Big Bullets, Malawi), Trevour Kalema (Silver Strikers, Malawi),
Midfielders: Idana Chimwemwe (Big Bullets, Malawi), Chester Yamikani (North Carolina, US), Gerald Keith Phiri Jr. (Baroka South Africa), John Banda (Captain, Blue Eagles – Malawi), Peter Banda (Big Bullets, Malawi), Melcium Mhone (Blue Eagles, Malawi), Kaira Chimango (Nyasa Big Bullets, Malawi), Chikoti Chirwa (Kamuzu Barracks, Malawi),
Strikers: Gabadihno Mhango (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Richard Mbulu (Baroka, South Africa), Hassan Kajoke (Nyasa Big Bullets, Malawi), Robin Ngalande (Zira FK, Azerbaijani).
Sudanese referees will be in charge of Uganda Cranes’ clash against Malawi in the AFCON 2021 Qualifiers at Mandela National Stadium in Namboole.
The referees appointed come from Sudan and will arrive in the country on Friday evening aboard Ethiopian Airlines – ET 333.
Centre referee is Mahmood Ali Mahmood Ismail and will work with Omer Hamid Mohamed Ahmed and Abdelgabar Mohamed Abdelgabar as the first and second assistant referee respectively.
The fourth official is Elsiddig Mohamed Eltreefe who also comes from Sudan.
Match Officials
Centre referee – Mahmood Ali Mahmood Ismail
First assistant referee – Omer Hamid Mohamed Ahmed
Second assistant referee – Abdelgabar Mohamed Abdelgabar
Fourth official – Elsiddig Mohamed Eltreefe
Referees’ assessor – Yohannes Ghirmai
Match commissioner – Aimable Habimana
