By Brian Bariyo Tumuramye
It is getting closer to the kick-off of the Total AFCON 2019 to be held in Egypt. Uganda Cranes are not taking things for granted and a three week camp in Abu Dhabi will help Sebastien Desabre tune up his boys ahead of the continental show piece that kicks off on 21st June in Cairo.
Upon arrival in the Arab world on Monday afternoon, the head coach shared his training schedule with the players which rolled off on Tuesday morning at the Sheikh Zayat stadium -Abu Dhabi Cricket Sports complex. The Uganda Cranes contingent is camped at the five star Park Rotana Hotel. The one hour session saw the players undergo drills that involved warm up sessions of running and stretching but with less time on the ball. The team is expected to return to the same complex at 7.30pm to complete the day’s double training session.
Uganda Cranes Captain Denis Onyango trained alone under the guidance of experienced goalkeeping coach Fred Kajoba. Onyango’s other colleagues in the goalkeeping area Robert Odongkara, Salim Jamal and Charles Lukwago will join camp later. Head coach Desabre has asked his players to remain focused during their stay in Abu Dhabi. “It is not easy to adapt to this weather as it is hot. It is important for the boys to adapt to the weather but I am happy with the first session today. It is the same weather they will find in Egypt. They need to concentrate a lot. We need to prepare well for the tournament as we have two friendlies on 9th and 15th June before we fly out to Cairo,” said Desabre.
Kirizestom Ntambi, a stylish midfielder who can also be slotted in defence joined the camp in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday morning. The Coffee FC player is expected to train with the rest of the team. Ntambi joins Nsibambi who never started the journey with the Uganda Cranes from Kampala. Nsibambi joined the team from Cairo. The rest of the players will report between 2nd and 7th to the camp.
