Only fourteen of the 34 man squad summoned for the Uganda Cranes preparation ahead of an international friendly with South Africa’s Bafana Bafana showed turned on the first day of training at the MTN Omondi stadium in Lugogo on Monday morning.
Those who showed up include Charles Lukwago and Simon Tamale, both goalkeepers, Innocent Wafula, Walusimbi Enock, Patrick Mbowa, Kenneth Ssemakula, Hassan Muhamud, all defenders and Ivan Sserubiru, Bright Anukani, Shafic Kagimu, Steven Sserwadda, Isma Mugulusi , Joseph Akandwanaho, midfielders and forward Derrick Kakooza .
The Uganda Cranes interim head coach Abdallah Mubiru, who conducted the training with his assistants Livingston Mbabazi and Fred Kajoba, said some of the players didn’t show up because they hadn’t received their COVID-19 test results.
He, however, said that the players who turned up for the first day of training were impressive, including those who are new on the team.
He also revealed that the bench has prepared for players who will be needed by their clubs for the ongoing Stanbic Uganda Cup. He, however, said that players from South Africa will not be part of training in Uganda.
The Uganda Cranes team majorly comprises young players featuring in the domestic league. They will face Bafana Bafana on June 10th 2021 in South Africa in a bid to expose their talent internationally. New team Captain is also expected to join the team this week alongside Abdu Lumala who is playing in Egypt.
URN