After a week long residential training with over 20 players in camp (majority local based), Uganda Cranes Head Coach Milutin Sredojevic confirmed the list of 19 players, majorly from the StarTimes Uganda Premier League that will be travelling to Ethiopia.
12 players have been dropped from the squad and these include; Patrick Henry Kaddu, Simon Tamale (Soltilo Bright Stars FC), Nafian Alionzi (URA FC), Gift Ali (KCCA FC), Paul Willa (Vipers SC), Nicholas Kasozi (Kyetume FC), Eric Ssenjobe (Police FC), Arthur Kiggundu (Express), Hassan Muhamood (Police FC), Richard Basangwa (Vipers SC) and Jude Ssemugabi (Mbarara City FC).
Team captain Emmanuel Arnold Okwi will lead the team to Ethiopia.
“We have prepared well since day one of training. The response of the players has been top notch and we are ready to give our best,” Okwi disclosed after the team’s last training at the African Bible University of Uganda play ground in Lubowa on Wednesday evening.
The team departs for Addis Ababa on Monday morning aboard Ethiopian Airlines. They are expected to play an international build up match against Ethiopia on Sunday, 29th August 2021, in preparation for the Kenya clash in the FIFA World Cup group E qualifier on September 6 2021.
Travelling Players: Charles Lukwago, Joel Mutakubwa, Enock Walusimbi, Innocent Esimu Wafula, Abdu Aziizi Kayondo, Halidi Lwaliwa, Murushid Juuko, Gavin Mugweri Kizito, Kenneth Ssemakula, Denis Iguma, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Shafik Kuchi Kagimu, Ibrahim Orit, Milton Karisa, Steven Dese Mukwala, Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Captain), Richard Basangwa, Yunus Junior Sentamu, Abdu Lumala, Martin Kizza.
Six more foreign based players will join the team in Ethiopia.