AFCON finals 2017: 14th January – 5th February
- In Gabon
The Uganda Cranes head coach, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has finally named the final 23 man squad.
After close to three weeks of intensive training drills, the 23 men who will carry the mantle of the ‘Pearl of Africa’ nation for the next weeks at the biggest continental footballing fiesta have been revealed.
The development follows the international friendly match with Tunisia played at the El Menzah Olympic Stadium in Tunis where the Magreb country condemned the East African football kings to a 2-0 defeat.
Only defender Isaac Isinde on the team named is unattached to a club after the expiration of his contract at the record Ethiopian League champions, St George Football Club.
Left behind are goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan and midfielder Muzamiru Mutyaba, both of local club KCCA as well as Proline’s Edrisa Lubega.
Three goalkeepers Dennis Onyango, Jamal Salim and Robert Odongkara make the grade.
Usual suspect Geoffrey Massa leads the side that tests continental football after over 39 years of near misses.
Tusker left back Shafik Batambuze and Onduparaka’s youngster Muhammed Shaban make the final team to Gabon where Uganda is in the same group with Mali, Egypt and Ghana.
Uganda Cranes will fly to Dubai for a second training camp after the Tunisia expedition.
In Dubai, they are set to play Slovakia and the reigning African champions, Cote D’Ivoire on the 8th and 11th January 2017 respectively.
Uganda Cranes Final 23 man squad:
Goalkeepers: Salim Jamal (Al Merrikh, Sudan), Robert Odongkara (Saint George, Ethiopia), Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa)
Defenders: Timothy Dennis Awany (KCCA, Uganda), Joseph Ochaya (KCCA), Shafiq Batambuze (Tusker, Kenya), Denis Iguma (Al Ahed, Lebanon), Isaac Isinde (Unattached), Murushid Juuko (Simba, Tanzania), Nicholas Wadada (Vipers, Uganda)
Midfielders: Khalid Aucho (Baroka, South Africa), Mike Azira (Colorado Rapids, USA), Geoffrey Kizito (Than Quang Ninh, Vietnam), William Luwagga Kizito (Rio Ave, Portugal), Tony Mawejje (Thotur, Iceland), Hassan Wasswa (Nijmeh, Lebabon), Moses Oloya (Hanoi T and T, Vietnam), Godfrey Walusimbi (Gor Mahia, Kenya)
Strikers: Geoffrey Massa (Baroka, South Africa), Faruku Miya (Standard Liege, Belgium), Yunus Sentamu (Ilves, Finland), Geoffrey Sserunkuma (KCCA, Uganda), Muhammed Shaban (Onduparaka, Uganda)
Technical Staff:
Head Coach: Milutin Sredojevic (Serbia)
Assistant Coach: Moses Basena (Uganda)
Goalkeeping Coach: Fred Kajoba (Uganda)
Team Doctor: Ronald Kisolo (Uganda)
Team Physio: Ivan Ssewanyana (Uganda)