Kakande, Ssekibengo Make Cranes Squad for FUFA Super 8 Tournament.

Bright Stars FC foward Kakande Shafic and Uganda Revenue authority Football club midfielder Godfrey Ssekibengo are the ‘major’ highlight in Sam Ssimbwa’s named Cranes squad for the FUFA Super 8 tournament.

Exciting winger Kakande who was earlier summoned to the senior national team, has been recalled and the Bukedea comprehensive School student ,and former Buddu FC player Ssekibengo earns his maiden senior National team call.

Kakande, who is double licenced with Bright Stars and regional league side then- Ntungasaze FC, guided the Mityana based side to FBL promotion. He earlier captained Buwekula in Masaza and Mityana Royal Giant in the USSSA games.

Ssekibengo, last represented Uganda with the Cubs(U-17) and won the CECAFA title in Eritrea and he is given chance to prove his worth at a senior level.

The two young stars have made the 29 man squad that will feature as Uganda Cranes Select in the 2024 FUFA Super 8 tournament that starts on 2nd August.

SC Villa and Uganda Hippos midfielder Hakim Mutebi has also been handed his senior national team call.

Mutebi, Thierry Alpha Ssali, Abdu Magada and Bruno Bunyaga are other U-20 stars promoted to the senior ranks with a call.

Left back Amisi Bwangani, strikers; Ogwang Isaac , Ahimbisibwe Ivan, 
Akandanwaho Joseph, defender Buule Warren and Matovu Faisal are some of the other new faces given chance.

Kizito Gavin, Begesa James, Isma Mugulusi, Umaru Lutalo, Ibrahim Kuma,Laban Tibita are some of the senior members, common faces in the Cranes fold that have considered for the task.

The squad named by Uganda Cranes assistant coach Sam Ssimbwa is composed of mainly local based players and free agents that are out of the 7 participating clubs. Some foreign based players have also been included in the select squad that will compete against reigning Champions SC Villa, BUL FC, Vipers SC, Kitara FC, KCCA FC, Maroons FC and NEC FC.

Kenneth Kimera and Isa Bugembe who were at Wakiso Giants and Bright Stars respectively, that joined Vipers have missed out on the Cranes call and will represent their new club.

Despite Police FC teammate Ogwang making cut, FBL MVP Kalanzi Dennis and Kaaro Karungi star Kawawa Samuel Jnr, are some of the notable misses in this Cranes squad.

The super 8 tournament is for teams that finished in the top Seven (7) of the 2023/2024 StarTimes Uganda Premier League season.

The FUFA Communications Director Ahmed Hussein confirmed the latest development of the team selection.

‘The players in the Select squad will be assessed as well by the Uganda Cranes technical team with an eye on impressing to break into the senior team for the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers that start in September. The players already in the set up of the Uganda Cranes will use the chance to cement their positions by keeping high levels of physical and mental strength ahead of the campaign. The clubs will use the tournament to fine tune their squads for the new season.’ noted FUFA Communications Director Ahmed Hussein

The squad will begin non-residential training on Tuesday, 23rd July at the Lugogo MTN Omondi Stadium, with the session expected to start at 8:00 am.

Three venues that will be used for the tournament; Mandela National Stadium-Namboole, St. Mary’s Stadium-Kitende and MTN Omondi Stadium-Lugogo.

The Uganda Cranes Select Squad for the FUFA Super 8 Tournament:

Goalkeepers:

Matovu Hassan (Soltilo Bright Stars FC)
Ssekajja Bashir (Wakiso Giants FC)
Magada Abdu (URA FC)

Defenders:

Begisa James Penz (URA FC)
Kizito Gavin Mugweri (Free Agent)
Tebandeke Christopher (UPDF FC)
Bwangani Amisi (URA FC)
Kato Samuel (Soltilo Bright Stars FC)
Buule Warren (Soltilo Bright Stars FC)
Matovu Faisal (Lugazi FC)
Ibrahim Juma (CD Leganes B, Spain)

Midfielders:

Kayondo Ronald (UPDF FC)
Fiat Cleophus (Soltilo Bright Stars FC)
Kakande Shafic (Soltilo Bright Stars FC)
Aliro Moses (URA FC)
Mugulusi Isma (Free Agent)
Kisolo Innocent (URA FC)
Ssekibengo Godfrey (URA FC)
Mutebi Hakim (Free Agent)
Ssenyonjo Hassan (Wakiso Giants FC)
Tibiita Laban (URA FC)

Strikers:
Bunyaga Bruno (URA FC)
Ogwang Isaac (Police FC)
Ahimbisibwe Ivan (URA FC)
Akandanwaho Joseph (Mbarara FC)
Ssemujju Joseph (URA FC)
Alpha Thierry Ssali (Express FC)
Lutalo Umar (Free Agent)
Basangwa Richard (Free Agent)

Officials:
Ssimbwa Sam Bamweyana – Uganda Cranes Assistant Head Coach
Kiggundu Stephen – Goalkeeping Coach
Balyejusa Ayub – Trainer
Massa Geoffrey – Team Manager
Nakabago Emmanuel – Team Doctor
Gumisiriza Michael – Physiotherapist
Mulondo Samuel – Kit Manager
Lusulire Ronald – Media Officer