BUL 0-1 Proline (Goal: William Sewanyana)
Sadolin 0-1 KCCA FC (Goal: Sadat Anaku)
Sc Villa Jogoo 3-1 Express FC (Goals: Villa-Lwanga Charles (2), Wasswa Aloysious, Express-Nkata Billy)
Kirinya Jinja SS 1-1 The Saints (Goals: Kirinya Jinja SS-Massa Fred, The Saints-Mutebi Aaron Stuart)
Soana 3-0 JMC Hippos ( Goals: Damulira Hakim, Sekidde Ivan, Kimbugwe Sulaiman)
International friendly match: Slovakia 1-3 Uganda Cranes
A determined Uganda Cranes outfit overcame Slovakia 3-1 in an exciting international friendly match held at the Armed Forces Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday evening.
Moses Oloya (5th minute), Faruku Miya (14th minute) and historic captain Geofrey Massa (77th minute) got the goals for the Uganda Cranes.
Denis Vavro had moments into the second half pulled a goal back for Slovakia.
The game was free of charge and hundreds of Ugandan fans watched the game to cheer the favourite stars to a famous victory against a country ranked 25th by Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA).
This was the third test match for the Uganda Cranes after the games against Tunisia (Tunisia won 2-0) and the training game with Slovenia (Uganda won 1-0).
The Cranes will play another international friendly against the reigning African champions Cote D’ Ivoire on Wednesday, 11th January 2017 at the New York University Stadium in Dubai.
In Dubai, the team is accommodated at London Suites Hotel in the heart of Dubai.
Team Line Ups:
Slovakia XI: Michal Sulla (46′ Adam Jakubech), Denis Vavro, Filip Orsula (85′ Pavol Safranko), Martin Bukata (70′ Miroslav Kacer), Thomas Malec (70′ David Guba), Roman Gergel (70′ Thomas Huk), Filip Hlohovsky (Captain), Jakub Holubek, Martin Kralik, Michal Skvarka, Juraj Kotula (46′ Martin Sulek)
Subs Not Used: Dominik Kruzliak, Jan Krivak, Patrik Misak, Matus Conka, Martin Dubravka
Head Coach: Jan Kozak
Uganda Cranes XI: Robert Odongkara (G.K), Nico Wakiro Wadada (63′ Nico Wakiro Wadada), Joseph Ochaya, Timothy Dennis Awanyi, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (46′ Murushid Jjuuko), Geofrey Kizito, Tonny Mawejje, Moses Oloya (46′ Geofrey Massa), William Luwagga Kizito (82′ Godfrey Walusimbi), Faruku Miya (62′ Yunus Sentamu), Muhammed Shaban (62’ Khalid Aucho)
Subs Not Used: Dennis Onyango (G.K), Shafiq Batambuze, Isaac Isinde, Michael Azira, Geofrey Sserunkuma, Salim Jamal (G.K)
Head coach: Milutin Sredejovic
Match Officials:
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY MATCH (Sunday, 8th January 2017):
The Uganda Cranes’ team to play Slovakia in a high profile international friendly match on Sunday evening has been released.
The match will be held at the Armed Forces Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Dennis Onyango returns to the goalposts after a brief resting period. He has been named in team B alongside Dennis Iguma, Shafiq Batambuze, Murushid Jjuuko, Isaac Isinde, Michael Azira, Yunus Junior Sentamu, Khalid Aucho, Geofrey Massa, Geofrey Sserunkuma and Godfrey Walusimbi.
Follow the match live on 102.1 FUFA f.m, the football radio with expert commentary courtesy of Reagan Kyanda.
Team A: Robert Odongkara (G.K), Nico Wakiro Wadada, Joseph Ochaya, Timothy Dennis Awanyi, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda, Geofrey Kizito, Tonny Mawejje, Moses Oloya, William Luwagga Kizito, Faruku Miya, Muhammed Shaban
Team B: Dennis Onyango (G.K), Dennis Iguma, Shafiq Batambuze, Murushid Jjuuko, Isaac Isinde, Michael Azira, Yunus Junior Sentamu, Khalid Aucho, Geofrey Massa, Geofrey Sserunkuma, Godfrey Walusimbi
Uganda Cranes fans thronged Entebbe International airport on Saturday morning to give a warm reception to the FUFA CEO Edgar Watson who returned home with the coveted Glo CAF National Team of the year award.
FUFA Executive led by the 1st Vice President Justus Mugisha, Uganda Cranes sponsors Airtel and partners NIC, Nile Special, Ecobank and Bidco were also in Entebbe for the function.
Watson arrived at the airport amidst cheers and jubilations from the FUFA Vice Presidents Mugisha, Darius Mugoye, Denis Mbidde, Executive members Sam Mpiima, Agnes Mugena and Dr. Patrick Bernard Ogwel.
The FUFA CEO talked of the experience in Abuja where everyone at the ceremony was pleased for Uganda winning the award for the first time.
‘It was Uganda’s day as we won on three occasions. Denis Onyango won the African footballer of the year based in Africa and was also named on the Africa XI’ said Watson
He later passed on his appreciation to the HE, President of the Republic of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, sponsors, FUFA Officials and all Ugandans for the unconditional support to the Uganda Cranes.
‘Uganda won not only as a team but because of the players, government, sponsors, FUFA, the media together with the fans. We all need to celebrate this victory and continue working together so that we win more awards’ said Watson.
Paul Mukatabala who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Football Players Association was in awesome mood.
‘This is a great moment for all Ugandans. Let’s enjoy the moment. Well done FUFA, players, sponsors and fans’ said the former Uganda Cranes international.
In his welcoming remarks, the FUFA 1st Vice President Justus Mugisha applauded the support every one especially the President of the Republic of Uganda H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for the endless financial and moral support to the Uganda Cranes .
‘Due to the support from the Government of Uganda, we dedicate this award to the President of Uganda and asked him for the continued support to the National team and football in general’ said Mugisha who represented the FUFA President at function in Entebbe.
On behalf of the sponsors, Jocylene Ucanda the NIC Head of Marketing thanked other sponsors Airtel , Nile Special, Bidco Uganda and Ecobank for working together to see that Uganda Cranes reaches the highest levels.
‘Team work has seen the Cranes reach the best heights. At NIC we value team work and always excel in whatever we do’ said Ucanda .
From Entebbe, the entire delegation headed to FUFA House where they met the FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo. He welcomed back Edgar Watson who represented the Nation in Abuja at the Awards Ceremony.
Eng Magogo was all praise for all those who contributed towards the success of Ugandan football and Uganda Cranes in 2016.
‘I dedicate the honour to H.E the President of Uganda for the environment that favored the game of football to be played’ said an excited Magogo
‘I appreciate the work done by everyone including coaches, players, sponsors and fans for the work done thus being recognized by the whole of Africa. As executives we dedicate this award to HE the President of Uganda’
FUFA Executive will sit and decide on what reward to give Onyango for winning the African Player of the award.
‘I also take a moment to congratulate Denis Onyango for winning the continental award. Our culture is to reward excellence. When Onyango won the CAF Champions League, we rewarded him with land. FUFA Executive will meet and decide on how to reward him for being the best on the continent’ FUFA President.
FUFA President who will join the Uganda Cranes in Dubai, will carry the Continental award to the camp for the players to enjoy the moment.
Uganda Cranes was voted the best team of the year at the Glo CAF Awards as goalkeeper Dennis Onyango scooped the player of the year based in Africa accolade.
This was at the glamorous awards night held at the International Conference Center in Abuja on Thursday night.
Uganda was ably represented by the FUFA CEO, Edgar Watson and Onyango himself before hundreds of CAF dignitaries, invited guests, sponsors, media personnel, the respective federation administrators, current and retired footballers.
Uganda Cranes beat DR Congo and Senegal to the team of the year award after a clinical year of breaking the 39 year of jinx after failure to return to the continental showpiece.
On the other hand, Onyango was better of Mamelodi Sundowns teammate Khama Billiat and TP Mazembe’s Reinford Kalaba.
He thus became the first goalkeeper to scoop the award designed to reward players who ply their trade on the continent.
Onyango, who was also named among the CAF best XI is now in transit to join the Uganda Cranes team where the national team is preparing for the 2017 Total Africa Cup of Nations.
Full list of Winners:
African Player of the Year – Riyad Mahrez (Algeria & Leicester City)
African Player of the Year – Based in Africa: Denis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)
Women’s Player of the Year: Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria & Arsenal Ladies)
Most Promising Talent: Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria & Manchester City)
Youth Player of the Year: Alex Iwobi (Nigeria and Arsenal)
Coach of the Year: Pitso Mosimane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Club of the Year: Mamelodi Sundowns
National Team of the Year:Uganda
Women’s National Team of the Year:Nigeria
Referee of the Year: Bakary Papa Gassama
Football Leader of the Year: Manuel Lopes Nascimento, President of Guinea Bissau Football Federation
Legend Award: Laurent Pokou, Former player of Cote d’Ivoire and Emilienne MBANGO, Former player of Cameroon
Africa Finest XI
Goalkeeper: Denis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)
Defenders: Serge Aurier (Cote d’Ivoire & Paris Saint-Germain), Aymen Abdennour (Tunisia & Valencia), Eric Bailly (Cote d’Ivoire & Manchester United), Joyce Lomalisa (DR Congo & AS Vita)
Midfielders: Khama Billiat (Zimbabwe & Mamelodi Sundowns), Rainford Kalaba (Zambia & TP Mazembe), Keegan Dolly (South Africa & Mamelodi Sundowns)
Forwards: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Borussia Dortmund), Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria & Leicester City)
Substitutes
Aymen Mathlouthi (Tunisia & Etoile du Sahel), Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal & Napoli), Salif Coulibaly (Mali & TP Mazembe), Islam Slimani (Algeria & Leicester City), Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Roma), Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria & Manchester City), Alex Iwobi (Nigeria and Arsenal)
The final 23 man squad for Uganda Cranes to play at the 2017 Total Africa Cup of Nations finals has been revealed by the head coach Milutin Sredejovic on Wednesday after the international friendly match against Tunisia in Tunis.
Cranes lost the match 2-0 and will now head to Dubai for another training camp that shall involve two high profile friendlies against Slovakia and Ivory Coast before flying to Gabon.
Uganda Cranes 23 man squad (Shirt numbers in blue):
1 – Robert Odongkara (Saint George, Ethiopia), 2 – Joseph Ochaya (KCCA), 3 – Geoffrey Kizito (Than Quang Ninh, Vietnam), 4 – Murushid Juuko (Simba, Tanzania), 5 – Isaac Isinde, 6 – Tony Mawejje (Thotur, Iceland), 7 – Sentamu Junior Yunus (Ilves, Finnland), 8 – Khalid Aucho (Baroka, South Africa), 9 -Geofrey Sserunkuma (KCCA, Uganda), 10 – Luwagga William Kizito (Rio Ave, Portugal), 11– Geoffrey Massa (Baroka, South Africa), 12 – Denis Iguma (Al Ahed, Lebanon), 13 – Moses Oloya (Hanoi T and T, Vietnam), 14 – Nico Wadada Wakiro (Vipers, Uganda), 15 – Godfrey Walusimbi (Gor Mahia, Kenya), 16 – Hassan Mawanda Wasswa (Nijmeh, Lebabon),17 – Faruku Miya (Standard Liege, Belgium), 18 – Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), 19 – Magoola Salim Omar (El Merriekh, Sudan), 20 – Awany Timothy Dennis (KCCA, Uganda), 21– Muhammad Shaban (Onduparaka, Uganda), 22 – Batambuze Shafik (Tusker, Kenya), 23 – Azira Michael (Colorado Rapids, USA)
MAIN PICTURE: The entire historic Uganda Cranes starting XI against Comoros on 4th September 2016 at Nelson Mandela National Stadium, Namboole has been named by Micho in the final 23 man squad to Gabon.
PHOTO CREDITS: FUFA Communications Department
International Friendly Match: Tunisia 2-0 Uganda Cranes
There are plenty of positives picked from the international friendly match as Tunisia overcame Uganda 2-0 under cold conditions at the El Menzah Olympic Stadium in Tunis.
Hamza Lahmar and Mohamed Ali Yâakoubi scored for the home side in each half.
Lahmar scored the first in the 7th minute via a direct free-kick and the second was a headed attempt from yet another free-kick as the second half kicked off.
Uganda Cranes got close when Tonny Mawejje had a long range 30th minute effort settle on the goal up right and later in the half Muzamiru Mutyaba, a second half substitute headed onto the cross bar from fellow substitute, Faruku Miya.
Micho tested the players in the different positions and he is yet to come up with the final 23 man squad.
All the six Uganda Cranes substitutes named for the game were given a run in to the game at some stage of the match.
Mike Azira, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda and historic captain Geofrey Massa were booked for various reasons during the game.
Meanwhile, Portuguese based midfielder William Luwagga Kizito arrived in Tunisia on Wednesday.
The head coach will announce the final 23 man squad and the stand by players, hours to come as a requirement set by CAF to beat the 4th January 2017 deadline.
Moments after the game, Micho disclosed to the football radio 102.1 FUFA f.m that he was satisfied with the performance of the team ahead of two more international build ups;
Happy for open play of the match. We rested 7 players who passed the test for the 23 man squad.
Today, we have checked 17 players. However, three players (a goalkeeper, midfielder and striker) will have to return home as we continue with the journey to Dubai for another training camp.
There is need to polish up on set pieces. I am impressed by the mental and physical strength of the players.
Micho’s voice was also echoed by one of the senior players on the team, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda;
As players, we have picked positives from the game. We showed character throughout the match. We have not managed to score but we showed intent in front of goal.
The players selected for the final tournament are all determined and motivated to represent the country
The 7 players who did not feature in the game against Tunisia are Dennis Onyango, Robert Odongkara, William Luwagga, Nicholas Wadada, Murushid Jjuuko, Joseph Ochaya and Moses Oloya.
Uganda is set for a second training camp in Dubai where they will still play two build up matches against Slovakia and Cote D’Ivoire on the 8th and 11th January 2017 respectively.
Team Line ups:
Uganda Cranes XI: Salim Jamal, Denis Iguma, Shafik Batambuze, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda, Isaac Isinde, Geofrey Kizito, Tonny Mawejje, Mike Azira, Geofrey Massa, Yunus Sentamu, Edrisa Lubega
Substitutes: Benjamin Ochan, Godfrey Walusimbi, Timothy Dennis Awany, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Shaban Muhammad, Faruku Miya
Tunisia XI: Balbouli, Mathlouthi, Ben Youssef, Yaakoubi, Maaloul, Azouni, Sassi, Hamza Lahmar, Sliti, Msakni, Khenissi
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
Match: Tunisia Vs Uganda
Venue: El Menzha Olympic Stadium, Tunisia
Time: 16Hrs30
Live on 102.1 FUFA f.m, The Football Radio
The Uganda Cranes head coach, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredejovic has released the starting XI to face Tunisia on Wednesday evening.
After this game, the coach will name the final 23 man squad to be submitted to CAF for the Total Africa Cup of Nations finals 2017.
The coach is confident; “The Uganda Cranes players arrived in a very good shape after the last two weeks of rigorous training back home. It is time for the boys to show their mantle. It will be a very tough and great opportunity for us to try to stop them and try to learn a few things from them in relation to our opponents Egypt in AFCON Group D. I think it’s important for us and for them to try to win and try to stop them and bring confidence ahead of AFCON finals.We shall play our own game with a lot of consciousness on their technical and tactical abilities”.
Uganda Cranes XI:
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
Match: Tunisia Vs Uganda
Venue: El Menzha Olympic Stadium, Tunisia
Time: 16Hrs30
Live on 102.1 FUFA f.m, The Football Radio
Uganda Cranes is ready for Wednesday’s match against Tunisia after holding a successful training at Stadio Olympique El Menzah on Tuesday evening.
The team had a feel of the Stadio Olympique El Menzahuh the matchday venue, for two hours before paving way for the Tunisian side to train as it is mandated by FIFA for each team to feel the pitch on the pre-match day.
During the training, coach Micho’s drills were cantered most on pitch orientation and weather acclimatization and indeed everything worked on well.
Players responded very well to the drills as there was no injury concern by close of business.
Micho: This will be a selection match
Head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevich confirmed to www.fufa.co.ug, that he will use the game to choose the final squad that will represent Uganda in Africa Cup of Nations final in Gabon.
The match against Tunisia is purely a selection match where I will field a team to help us assess who should make it into the final 23 man squad.
The players are ready for Wednesday’s match when he looked at the way they reacted to the last training.
I express my sincere satisfaction with the standard of their training and am optimistic my players will deliver during the match
Micho promised to do their utmost to get the expected results in Tunisia as this will give confidence to the players ahead of AFCON finals.
“The boys have shown determination to do well in this continental assignment and I want to call on Ugandans to rally behind the Cranes as this game is one of them. And the journey starts tomorrow” he added.
Odongokara Arrives to boost camp
St George goalkeeper Robert Odongokara joined the team on Tuesday afternoon and managed to train with the rest of the group.
The skilled goalkeeper had been held back at the club in Ethiopia as they were having a crucial game in the Ethiopian Premier League.
The giant shot stopper becomes the first player to arrive out of the three, who were unable to join the team call-up on time,
Meanwhile midfielder William Luwagga Kizito, who ply his trade at Clube De Rio Ave in Portuguese Premier League will be the next player to arrive on Wednesday.
Luwagga was also held back by the club for a crucial tie.
CAF Awards Gala: Thursday, 5th January 2017
In Abuja, Nigeria.
Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) Chief Executive Officer Edgar Watson will attend the CAF Glo Awards in Abuja.
Along with Uganda Cranes and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper, Dennis Onyango, Uganda will be ably represented.
Onyango is nominated among the three best locally based footballers in Africa alongside teammate and Zimbabwe forward Khama Billiat as well as Zambia and TP Mazembe midfielder Reinford Kalaba.
The goalkeeper was part of the historic Uganda Cranes side that qualified for the AFCON finals (since 1978), won the league in South Africa, the Africa Champions league and also played at the FIFA World Club Championship.
Both the CEO and Onyango depart the country on Wednesday
Uganda Cranes is also nominated for the team of the year.
Uganda was nominated alongside DR Congo, Senegal, Nigeria U-23 and Guinea Bissau among the best achievers of the year, 2016.
The Uganda Cranes defied all the odds to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon 2017 for the first time in over 38 years.
This was after finishing second in group D in a group West Africans Burkina Faso led by mere head to head record.
African Player of the Year – Based in Africa
African Player of the Year
St George goalkeeper Robert Odongkara has joined the Uganda national team on Tuesday afternoon.
The goalkeeper left Addis Ababa on Tuesday night where he has been with his club.
He later too part in the team’s last training session ahead of the international friendly match with Tunisia on Wednesday, 4th January 2017 at the El Menzah Olympic Stadium.
Meanwhile midfielder William Luwagga Kizito, who plies his trade with Clube De Rio Ave in Portuguese Premier League will be the next player to arrive on Wednesday, was also held back by the club for a crucial tie.
“Onyango and Luwagga will be last players to join the team. We expect Luwagga to arrive on Wednesday evening because they had a crucial game in the league so we couldn’t deny him the opportunity to play first then Onyango will be attending CAF Awards Ceremony and will join us immediately after that.
Team Coordinator Uganda Cranes Crispus Muyinda told www.fufa.co.ug
FUFA has learnt with shock the death of Mr. Chris Rwanika.
Rwanika who served as General Secretary of FUFA during the Denis Obua led administration passed on Tuesday. He was also FUFA President in 1985.
‘We have received the sad news of the loss of Chris Rwanika. The sport has been hit by tough times in the past one week where we lost football fans and players from Buliisa who died on Lake Albert when their boat they were using capsized and then Uganda Crested Cranes player Gladys Nakitto lost her father’ said FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo.
‘Chris Rwanika was an integral part in recording keeping at FUFA. The current generation of football leaders and in administration learnt alot from him. His vast knowledge on football history in Uganda clearly showed how much he loved the game’ added Magogo.
Burial arrangements will be released in due course.
May His Soul Rest in Peace.
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
Match: Tunisia Vs Uganda
Venue: El Menzha Olympic Stadium, Tunisia
Time: 16Hrs30
Live on 102.1 FUFA f.m, The Football Radio
The Uganda Cranes team trained once again at El Menzha Stadium (outside pitch) on Monday evening (4:30 p.m East Africa Standard Time).
The team managed to go through vigorous trainings for over two hours as they further acclimatize more to the cold weather in Tunisia.
While having their sessions, coach Sredejovic Micho Milutin emphasized most on creating scoring opportunities, attacking and defending in numbers, space awareness and agility of players on the pitch.
Micho think the boys are in good shape to put up a good competition against Tunisia come Wednesday having displayed a great show at the training session.
“The players have responded well to the training sessions and now we have a task ahead of us to come up with the 23 man squad for AFCON finals.” Micho stated.
“Each of these players has shown his best so we shall use Tunisia’s trial match to choose the final 23 for AFCON in Gabon and the rest will be on standby mode.”
All players completed the training very well and Ugandans should be hopeful of good results on Wednesday.
The team will train at the same time on Tuesday in Match day venue as it’s mandated by Fifa Competition rules.
TUNISIA TRAINS
Meanwhile Tunisian national football team also trained at the same time but in the main stadium where the match will be held.
Away from Tunisian game, Uganda has also lined up with other two international friendlies against Ivory Coast and Slovakia in Dubai before heading to the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
The build up against Slovakia will be played on the 8th January 2017 and the last one against the current Africa Champions will come three days later.
International Friendly: Tunisia vs Uganda Cranes
Menzah Olympic Stadium
Wednesday 4th January, 2017
2.30 pm Local time (Tunisia, 4.30 pm EAST)
Uganda Cranes and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Onyango Denis, William Luwagga Kizito and Robert Odongkara are yet to join the National team from their respective bases but head coach Sredejovic ‘Micho’ Milutin is very much aware of the trio’s club engagements.
Micho says he is not under any sort of pressure but expects the trio to link up with the team soon.
‘Odongkara is on the way coming from Ethiopia, Luwagga (Portugal) has a game at his club and Onyango will be attending CAF Awards Ceremony but has a full training programme before he joins the team’ said Micho shortly after the team’s training.
‘We are looking forward to have a check up against Tunisia. It is not a preparation match but a selection match because after that match we shall announce the 23 man squad for the AFCON finals in Gabon’ added Micho.
He commended players’ commitment and promises Ugandans good performances while in Gabon.
“Players commitment and dedication has been so amazing and am really so happy for them.”
Micho also took advantage to thank FUFA and the Government of Uganda plus the sponsors for making the atmosphere conducive for the team to train.
The Uganda Cranes players took part in the Gym session on Monday morning at the Ramada Lounge Hotel Gym in Tunisia.
The session followed Sunday evening’s ball work drills shortly after the team had checked in at Tunis International Airport from Dubai.
They are set for another ball work session later on Monday evening at the Menzah Stadium at 3:30 local time (5:30pm East Africa Standard time).
All the players are healthy and responding well to the training sessions.
‘I want to thank you all for the commitment and dedication you have exhibited in training for the last two weeks at home but remember that is work half done.Today our journey to Africa Cup of Nations final has started.Training hard and being fit are some of those aspects we need if we are to perform well in AFCON but mental strength as well as team work will be paramount in our cause and approach’ Micho stated.
Uganda Cranes contingent has safely landed in the Tunisian capital Tunis on Sunday afternoon ahead of the training camp and the first international friendly game against Tunisia on 4th January.
The team joined the other players who had arrived earlier on Saturday,Moses Oloya, Geoffrey Baba Kizito and Hassan Wasswa.
The trio connected to Tunisia directly from their respective clubs.
The team ushered in the new year 2017 in Dubai and enjoyed the early moments of the year.
The international friendly game will be the first for the team ahead of preparations for the Total 2017 Africa Cup of Nations that commences on 14th January 2017 in Gabon.
The game will be played In Tunisian Capital city Tunis at the Menzah Olympic stadium on Wednesday 4th January 2017 at 2.30pm local time.
The team is accommodated at Ramada Plaza Hotel a 20 minutes drive away from Tunis International Airport.
*Training Program*
The team will conduct a light training session at El Menza Stadium at 3:00 pm (Tunisian time).
On Friday evening, the Uganda Cranes team will be leaving Entebbe International Airport aboard Ethiopian Airlines for Tunisia where they will hold a training camp and an international build up with Tunisia on Wednesday, 4th January 2017.
The team left Serene Suites Hotel in Mutundwe at around 4 p.m as the contingent was officially flagged off by the FUFA President, Eng. Moses Magogo who wished the team fruitful deliberations in the training camps and at the final tournament.
They will be departing Entebbe by 8:00 p.m.
Eng. Magogo has appealed to the players to strive for the best and have belief at the AFCON finals.
“Like we believed that we could qualify to the biggest stage of African football after over 39 years of trying, work hard and have the belief you will make it at the finals. I wish you the very best” Eng. Magogo stated in his brief address before the players and officials at Serene Suites Hotel.
Historic captain Geofrey Massa echoed his charges determination and diligence while at the championship.
“We shall work as a unit, follow instructions as we target pulling off the best possible results” Massa, who plays at Baroka Football Club hinted.
Standard Liege’s Faruku Miya, scorer of the lone strike against Comoros that saw Uganda Cranes return to the big stage was equally confident.
“All we have to do is to have confidence in ourselves. Anything is possible with hard work and belief” Miya told www.fufa.co.ug.
After the Tunisia camp, the team will then fly out to Abu Dhabi for friendlies against Slovakia and Ivory Coast on the 8th and 11th January 2017 respectively.
The 26 man squad named;
Goalkeepers: Odongkara Robert, Benjamin Ochan, Salim Jamal, Denis Onyango
Rest of the squad: Denis Iguma, Nicholas Wadada, Joseph Ochaya, Murushid Juuko, Shafiq Batambuze, Godfrey Walusimbi, Isaac Isinde, Hassan Wasswa, Timothy Awanyi, Mike Azira, Tonny Mawejje, Geoffrey Kizito, Luwagga Kizito Moses Oloya, Muzamir Mutyaba, Khalid Aucho, Geoffrey Massa, Idris Lubega, Muhammad Shaban, Geoffrey Serunkuma, Yunus Sentamu and Faruku Miya.
Four foreign based players Luwagga Kizito, Geoffrey Kizito, Moses Oloya and Robert Odongkara will connect from their respective clubs to Tunisia while Denis Onyango is under special fitness training session.
LOD: Hamid Juma
Head coach: Sredojevic Milutin
Assistant Coach: Basena Moses
Goal keeper coach: Kajoba Fred
Team Physician: Dr. Kisolo Ronald
Team Physiotherapist: Ssewanyana Ivan
Media Officer: Mutaka Joseph
Kits man: Lugolobi Saidi
FUFA delegate Kampala Region: Tamale Harunah
The FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo met Uganda Cranes players and officials at their residential camp at Serene Suites, Mutundwe on Thursday 29th December 2016.
While in the meeting the President appreciated the players for the hard work especially at the training that started on the 13th November 2016 and winding up on 30th December 2016.
“I would like thank you for the hard work exhibited especially during the training sessions” Said Eng. Magogo.
The FUFA President further asked players and officials to give in a lot more because they are to spend more than a month with the National team during the preparations and the AFCON finals in Gabon.
“You need to put more than before because this period calls for a lot of your time and keeping away from the families and activities” he added.
He went ahead and requested players to capture this life time moment when he told players that the whole world will be watching the biggest show case of African football.
Players and officials were also informed how the federation is working tirelessly to provide whatever can enhance the team’s performance.
“It is not that FUFA has lots of money on its accounts but we are doing our best to provide very thing that we get rid of excuse” cautioned Eng Magogo.
The Federation introduced a code of conduct to regulate and control all members of the team where every member will be given a copy to read, comprehend and later sign on the copy.
The code of conduct entails of the dos and don’ts of the team together with the corrective measures in case of misconduct.