Uganda Cranes head coach Sebastien Desabre on Saturday after the Cranes trialmatch against Kampala region select, named the final 24 players who will camp in Egypt ahead of the last TOTAL AFCON 2019 group L qualifier away tie against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars.
However, Desabre’s local players’ selection has caused ‘hot’ talks amongst football fans especially his decision to fore look all the four Startimes Uganda Premier League top scorers; Juma Balinya (PoliceFC) – 16, Bashir Mutanda (SC Villa) -13, Joel Madondo (Jinja SS FC) – 12 and Dan Sserunkuma (VipersSports Club) – 11.
Nevertheless the Cranes gaffer named some rare faces on team from the summoned local players. Amongst them was KCCA FC’s flair teenager Allan Okello and defender Halid Lwaliwa who for the first time will don Cranes jerseys at such a big stage.
Other local players that made a cut to the final squad include; Timothy Awany (KCCA), Geofrey Walusimbi (Free Agent), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Free Agent), Tadeo Lwanga (Vipers), Ibrahim Sadam Juma (KCCA), Moses Waiswa (Vipers), Allan Kyambadde (KCCA, Uganda) and Henry Patrick Kaddu (KCCA).
The 10 local and some of the 14 foreign based players are already in Ismaily, Egypt for a three day camp that will also involve a friendly match against an Egyptian club on Wednesday before embarking on the travel to Tanzania for the Sunday game.
Final Squad
Goalkeepers:
Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Salim Magoola (Al Hilal, South), Robert Odongkara (Adama City, Ethiopia)
Defenders:
Murushid Jjuuko (Simba, Tanzania), Timothy Awany (KCCA, Uganda), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers, Uganda), Geofrey Walusimbi (Free Agent), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Kirizestom Ntambi (Ethiopian Coffee), Nico Wakiro Wadada (Azam, Tanzania)
Midfielders:
Khalid Aucho (Churchhill brothers, India), Milton Karisa (MC Oujda), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Free Agent), Tadeo Lwanga (Vipers, Uganda), Ibrahim Sadam Juma (KCCA, Uganda), Moses Waiswa (Vipers, Uganda), Moses Opondo (Vendsyssel FF, Denmark)
Forwards:
Faruku Miya (Gorica, Croatia), Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Simba, Tanzania), Allan Kyambadde (KCCA, Uganda), Allan Okello (KCCA,Uganda), Edrisa Lubega (SV Ried, Austria), Muhammad Shaban (Raja Casablanca, Morocco), Henry Patrick Kaddu (KCCA, Uganda)