International Build Up Games in Dubai and Abudhabi
- Gabon Vs Uganda Cranes – 30th December 2021
- Mauritania Vs Uganda Cranes – 1st January 2022.
United Arab Emirates based Chris Pius Akena, URA FC captain Shafiq Kuchi Kagimu and BUL FC Captain Goerge Kasonko are the three faces that have been added to the Cranes squad for the UAE trip.
Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has handed Ahly Shabab midfielder Akena and defensive midfielder Kasonko chance to express themselves in the national team colours.
Akena is known of his dribbling and dazzling skills and creativity on the field.
The 19 year old, started his youth career at Proway sports academy in Uganda then moved to Aspire academy qatar in 2016 before joining Uganda premier league side maroons football club in 2017 where he later joined his current club shabab alahli football club dubai in January 2021.
The midfielder has manager to win the UAE Pro league U21 season 2020-21.
Akena’s Ahly Shabab has accumulated 22 points form 11 outings and are third placed in the UAE Pro league, Seven points behind leaders Al Ain.
Kasonko who has been instrumental in the BUL midfield, earlier told Sports256 that their target this season is to win either the league or Stanbic Uganda Cup something that is in their reach according to their good start of the season.
“ I was captain at Busoga am happy that fellow players have also trusted me to lead them here, our target as a group is to win a atleast a trophy, and as a player i want to lead the team to glory and as well get into the Cranes fold and make forward steps to play professional football.” Kasonko told Sports256 months ago.
BUL impressive this season, are seated in third place with twenty two (22) points.
For midfielder Kagimu, has been a common figure in the Cranes and though his side is struggling in 8th position with 17 points, his technicality and individual brilliance earns him a place in Micho’s squad.
The team will travel to the United Arab Emirates for two international build up matches against AFCON bound team teams Gabon on 30th December 2021 and Mauritania on 1st January 2022.
In the same vein, long serving utility player Denis Iguma has been omitted.
Micho confirmed the selection was basically based on availability of players and the focus is on CHAN 2020 and AFCON 2023.
‘In line with FUFA strategic targets of the Uganda Cranes, we are continuing with preparations for CHAN 2022 Algeria, AFCON 2023 Ivory Coast, Olympic Games 2024 and the double header matches against Gabon and Mauritania in the UAE. For those two matches, we have selected available players. The team has a balance of maturity and experience with some youthful players from the U-17 team; Travis Mutyaba and Ibrahim Juma as well as five players from the AFCON U-20 team in Mauritania and a couple of returnees to the team. Micho noted.
The first game will be against Gabon on Thursday, 30th December 2021 and the second game against Mauritania on 1st January 2022.
The team departs for Dubai on 29th December 2021 and shall return on 2nd January 2022.
The Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Watenga Isma (Chippa United), Mutakubwa Joel (Express FC), Komakech Jack (Vipers SC)
Defenders: Kizito Gavin (SC Villa), Kayondo Aziizi (VipersSC), Juma Ibrahim (KCCA FC), Lwaliwa Khalid (Vipers SC), Najib Fesali (URA FC), Walusimbi Enock (Express FC), Semakula Kenneth (SC Villa)
Midfielders: Byaruhanga Bobosi (Vipers SC), Kakooza Mahad (Express FC), Waiswa Moses (Supersport United), Kizza Martin (Express FC), George Kasonko (BUL), Chris Akena (Ahly Shabab, UAE), Shafik Kuchi Kagimu (URA).
Forwards: Kaddu Patrick (unattached), Sentamu Yunus (Vipers SC), Orit Ibrahim (Vipers SC), Mutyaba Travis (SC Villa), Mukwala Steven (URA FC), Mohamed Shaban (Onduparaka FC
