On Tuesday, Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic summoned a 35-man provisional squad ahead of the 2023 African Nations Championship in Algeria.
Amongst the 35 players, eight were part of the provisional squad summoned by former Cranes head coach Johnathan Mckinstry for the 2021 tournament in Cameroon.
URA FC’s goalkeeper Alionzi Nafian and Modern Gaddafi FC’s Joel Mutakubwa who was then playing for Kyetume FC were summoned again.
Defenders Derrick Ndahiro and Ashraf Mandela of URA and Vipers SC who were previously featuring for SC Villa and the former respectively are also back again.
Midfielders Abdul Karim Watambala and Saidi Kyeyune who play for Vipers and URA were also recalled.
The latter joined Sudanese outfit Al Merriekh soon after the 2021 CHAN tournament but did not last there long hence returning to URA.
Vipers’ duo, Milton Karisa and Ibrahim Orit was in Cameroon and should be returning for another CHAN tournament in Algeria, the latter was back then playing for Mbarara City FC.
In Cameroon, Uganda scored three goals through Orit and Kyeyune, the latter netted two goals.
Uganda Cranes will be taking part in a sixth consecutive CHAN tournament, but they never made it beyond the group stages.
Micho’s team is pitted in Group B alongside Senegal, Ivory Coast, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and will kick start their tourney against the latter on January 14th.
The Uganda Cranes eliminated neighbors Tanzania 4-0 on aggregate to qualifier for their sixth straight CHAN tourney.
The Cranes entered the residential camp on Wednesday at the Cranes Paradise Hotel and as part of the preparations, they will travel to Tunisia towards the tournament.
The seventh edition of the tournament which features national teams consisting of players currently playing in the local leagues will run from January 13th to February 4th, 2023 in Algeria.
Morocco are the current champions and they have won the competition the most times twice level with DR Congo.
The 35-man provisional squad
Goalkeepers: Alionzi Nafian (URA FC), Joel Mutakubwa (Modern Gaddafi FC), Jack Komakech (Vipers SC), Mathias Muwanga (Onduparaka FC), Emmanuel Kalyowa (BUL FC)
Defenders: James Begisa (URA FC), Derrick Ndahiro (URA FC), Isa Mubiru (Vipers SC), Ashraf Mandela (Vipers SC), Hilary Mukundane (Vipers SC), Kenneth Semakula (SC Villa), Filbert Obenchan (KCCA FC), Geoffrey Wasswa (KCCA FC), Bright Vuni (Arua Hill SC), Fred Gift (SC Villa), Arthur Kiggundu (Express FC), Grant Matsiko (Wakiso Giants FC)
Midfielders: Siraje Ssentamu (Vipers SC), Karim Watambala (Vipers SC), Marvin Joseph Youngman (Vipers SC), Moses Waiswa (KCCA FC), Saidi Kyeyune (URA FC), Hussein Ssenoga (Express FC)
Wingers: Mohamed Ssenoga Kagawa (KCCA FC), Rogers Mato Kassim (KCCA FC), Moses Aliro (Wakiso Giants FC), Travis Mutyaba (SC Villa), Milton Karisa (Vipers SC), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers SC)
Forwards: Najib Yiga (Vipers SC), Bright Anukani (Vipers SC), Ibrahim Kasule (Wakiso Giants FC), Titus Ssematimba (Wakiso Giants FC), Frank Sebuufu (Wakiso Giants FC), Cromwel Rwothomio (Vipers SC)
