The national football team, Cranes, has today started a residential training as preparations for CHAN tournament scheduled for next month are in top gear.
According to information reaching us, a team of 27 players has been selected by the new coach Sébastien Desabre, out of the 39 earlier invited including danger man Muhammed Shaban who was top scorer in the recently concluded COSAFA championship in Zambia to camp at the Africa Bible University in Lubowa where residential training will regularly be held at 4pm starting today, before setting of for morocco on 4th January, 2018.
After the morning training at the Maroons stadium in Luzira, the French born coach noted having had limited time to evaluate each player’s ability, but was optimistic of a good performance.
“It was a short time for me to evaluate the players. We made a choice of 27 players today. We took preference for defensive and offensive. Those not selected will be followed at their clubs during the Championship (League). We need to focus on those going to camp so that we work on our targets before the first game versus Zambia”, he said.
Players who were selected include:
Goalkeepers: Watenga Isma, Ochan Benjamin and Saidi Keni
Other players: Wadada Nicholas, Nsubuga Joseph, Awanyi Timothy, Mujuzi Mustapha, Muwanga Bernard, Muleme Isaac, Madoi Aggrey, Kizza Mustapha, Karisa Milton, Lwesibawa Godfrey, Mucurezi Paul, Kyambadde Allan, Batte Seif, Senfuka Rahmat, Lwanga Taddeo, Kasule Abubaker, Waisswa Moses, Saddam Juma, Mutyaba Muzamir, Masiko Tom, Shaban Muhammad, Nsibambi Nelson, Isiagi Daniel.
Cranes are expected to meet the president at his country home in Rwakitura on Tuesday before setting off for the much anticipated tournament.
Uganda is pooled in group B with Ivory Coast, Zambia and Namibia and will first play against Zambia but prior to the start of the tournament, Uganda will play two friendly matches against Cameroon and Congo Brazzaville in Rabat.