TOTAL AFCON 2021 Qualifiers (Group B)
Match Day 3: Thursday 12th November 2020 – Uganda Vs South Sudan – St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende (4 pm)
*Live on FUFA Facebook page, 102.1 FUFA f.m and BBS Telefaina
After over six months without any international game, Uganda Cranes return into action today Thursday against South Sudan in the AFCON 2021 group B qualifiers at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende (4 pm).
This is the first leg of the double header that will see Uganda Cranes near advancement in qualification for 2021 AFCON if they win both games. The return leg will be played on Monday, November 16 2020 at the Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi.
The Uganda Cranes team has been engaged in training sessions for the past 10 days at the StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo and St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende in preparation for this game.
In Group B, both Uganda and Burkina Faso have four points but Cranes tops the group on goal difference. The Flames of Malawi have three points while Sudan has no point ahead of match day three actions.
Uganda started their campaign with a goalless draw away to Burkina Faso, before recording a 2-0 win at home against Malawi thanks to goals from Emmanuel Okwi and Fahad Bayo.
For the visitors, they started with a 1-0 loss away to Malawi and then hosted Burkina Faso but ended up falling 2-1.
Uganda and South Sudan has faced each other on three encounters. Uganda has won two and drawn one. The last encounter happened in December 2017 in the CECAFA Cup and Cranes thrashed South Sudan 5-1.
Cranes head coach Johnathan McKinstry says Sudan is a stubborn opponent that has improved of late.
“Gone are the days when they used to concede 4 or 5 goals. We are confident of breaking their resilience with full focus and professionalism. We have got the quality to go past them,” says McKinstry.
Full Team Available for selection:
Goalkeepers: Dennis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Jamal Salim (Al Hilal, Sudan), Charles Lukwago (KCCA, Uganda)
Defenders: Ronald Mukiibi (Ostersunds FK, Sweden), Nico Wakiro Wadada (Azam, Tanzania), Timothy Denis Awany (Sport Club Ironi Ashdod, Israel), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, Democratic Republic of Congo), Elvis Bwomono (Southend, England), Disan Galiwango (Vipers, Uganda), Patrick Paul Mbowa (URA, Uganda), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers SC, Uganda)
Midfielders: Michael Azira (Chicago Fire, USA), Khalid Aucho (Misr Lel Makasa, Egypt) Allan Kyambadde (El Gouna, Egypt), Allan Okello (Paradou, Algeria), Shafik Kagimu Kuci (URA FC, Uganda), Karim Watambala (Vipers SC, Uganda)
Forwards: Derrick Nsibambi (Smouha, Egypt), Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Ittihad Alexandria, Egypt), Fahad Bayo (Sport Club Ironi Ashdod, Israel), Farouk Miya (Konyaspor, Turkey), William Kizito Luwagga (Hapoel Kfar Saba F.C, Israel) ), Edirisa Lubega (Paide Linnameeskond, Estonia) and Brian Aheebwa (KCCA FC, Uganda).