Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has confirmed two friendlies with Zanzibar and Ethiopia as the Black, Yellow and Red country gears up for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier with Tanzania.
The Taifa Stars will host their neighbours first at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on the 28th of August before the return leg at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on the 3rd of September but, before that, two ‘friendly’ hurdles stand in the way.
And, the Serbian has made it a point that making it for CHAN in Algeria is a must.
“About the competitive assignment that is ahead of us and with due respect to them (Tanzania), Uganda qualifying for CHAN is a ‘must’,” Micho told FUFA media on Tuesday.
“I strongly believe in this group of players that they will do what is required of them so that we can qualify.”
Previously, the Cranes have played at four consecutive CHAN tournaments, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020.
“Ethiopia is a good team and 95% of their national team players feature in their local league.”
“They beat Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and that speaks volumes.”
“Unfortunately, we could not secure the friendly game against Malawi and thus, we opted for Zanzibar,” he noted.
The 52-year-old will also have players from Vipers SC join the camp on Wednesday ahead of the trip to Ethiopia on Thursday.
Vipers players have been away on club engagement in Tanzania and Rwanda for friendlies against Young Africans SC and Rayon Sports FC respectively.
Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers: Nafian Alionzi (URA FC), Richard Anyama (Arua Hill SC), Emmanuel Kalyowa (BUL FC), Denis Otim (Express FC), Mathias Muwanga (Onduparaka FC)
Defenders:
Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers SC), Livingstone Mulondo (Vipers SC), Najib Fesali (URA FC), Joseph Bright Vuni (Arua Hill SC), Kenneth Ssemakula (SC Villa), John Revita (KCCA FC), Walter Ochora (BUL FC), Gavin Kizito Mugweri (SC Villa), James Begisa (URA FC), Hillary Onek (BUL FC), Brian Mato (Proline FC), Ibrahim Juma (KCCA FC), Derrick Ndahiro (URA FC), Disan Galiwango (Vipers SC), George Kaddu (Wakiso Giants FC)
Midfielders: Bobosi Byaruhanga (Vipers SC), Marvin Youngman (Vipers SC), Siraje Ssentamu (Vipers SC), George Kasonko (BUL FC), Titus Ssematimba(Wakiso Giants FC), Saidi Kyeyune (URA FC), Simon Peter Oketch (BUL FC), Moses Waiswa (KCCA FC)
Forwards: Milton Karisa (Vipers SC), Abdu Lumala (Vipers SC), Travis Mutyaba (SC Villa), Rogers Mato (KCCA FC), Moses Aliro (Wakiso Giants FC), Najib Yiga (Vipers SC), Martin Kizza (Express FC), Rashid Kawawa (Arua Hill SC), Muhammad Shaban(Onduparaka FC), Yunus Ssentamu (Vipers SC), Richard Basangwa (Gaddafi FC), Oscar Mawa (SC Villa)
Photo credit: FUFA Media
