Category: Uganda Cranes

The Uganda Cranes camp in Dubai has been boosted by the arrival of Swedish and Portuguese based players in orthodox forward Alexis Bbakka (Umea FC) and silky left back Alex Kakuba (CD Cova Piedade).

The duo arrived on Friday morning at the Dubai International Airport and were warmly welcomed by national teams’ officer Paul Mukatabala and immediately drove to the JA Ocean View Hotel to join the rest of the team.

Their arrival nows brings the total number of foreign based players currently in Dubai to eleven with Estonia based forward Edrisa Lubega expected to fly in this evening (Friday).

The the duo will join the rest of the team in a class session today before taking part in their first training session under floodlights later this evening at the JA Training Center, Jebel Ali.

The training camp in Dubai is in line with the Cameroon 2021 AFCON qualification campaign double header against South Sudan slated for November as well as the 2020 CHAN Tournament in Cameroon.

Players currently in the training camp.

Charles Lukwago (KCCA, Uganda), Joel Mutakubwa (Kyetume, Uganda), Milton Karisa (Vipers, Uganda), David Owori (SC Villa, Uganda), Bright Anukani (KCCA, Uganda), Saidi Kyeyune (URA, Uganda), Paul Mbowa (URA, Uganda), Samuel Kato (KCCA, Uganda), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers, Uganda), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers SC), Shafiq Kagimu (URA, Uganda), Karim Watambala (Vipers, Uganda), Bevis Mugabi (Motherwell, Scotland), Farouk Miya (Konyaspor, Turkey), Nicholas Wadada (Azam FC), Elvis Bwomono (Southend United), Salim Jamal (Al Hilal Omdurman, Sudan), Roy Jayden Onen (Reading, England), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Allan Kyambadde (El Gouna, Egypt), Allan Kateregga (Erbil SC, Iraq), Alexis Bbakka (Umea FC, Sweden), Alex Kakuba (CD Cova Piedade, Portugal)

Officials:

Leader of Delegation: Ronnie Kalema (FUFA Executive Committee member)

Johnathan McKinstry (Head coach), Abdallah Mubiru (Assistant Coach), Livingston Mbabazi (Assistant Coach), Ibrahim Mugisha (Goalkeeping Coach), Alexander McCarthy (Fitness Trainer), Felix Ayobo (Sport Scientist), Emmanuel Nakabago (Doctor), Regan Innocent Baluku (Doctor), Samuel Mulondo (Kitman), Geoffrey Massa (Team manager), Paul Mukatabala (Team officer), Ronald Lusulire (Media Officer

The Uganda Cranes team on Thursday evening conducted their first training session in Dubai at the JA training Center, Jebel Ali.

The training session spearheaded by head coach Johnathan Mckinstry saw the players undergo some body fitness drills, footwork, ball work as well as a ten aside high intensive and pressing practice match.

All players looked lively in the session as they all aim at winning the heart of the Irish tactician.

Elvis Bwomono who plies his trade at Southend United and Reading U23 starlet Jayden Onen both impressively took part in their maiden training in national colours.

The camp is in line with the 2021 Cameroon AFCON tournament as well as the 2020 Cameroon CHAN Tournament.

Players who took part in the first training session in Dubai.

Charles Lukwago (KCCA, Uganda), Joel Mutakubwa (Kyetume, Uganda), Milton Karisa (Vipers, Uganda), David Owori (SC Villa, Uganda), Bright Anukani (KCCA, Uganda), Saidi Kyeyune (URA, Uganda), Paul Mbowa (URA, Uganda), Samuel Kato (KCCA, Uganda), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers, Uganda), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers SC), Shafiq Kagimu (URA, Uganda), Karim Watambala (Vipers, Uganda), Bevis Mugabi (Motherwell, Scotland), Farouk Miya (Konyaspor, Turkey), Nicholas Wadada (Azam FC), Elvis Bwomono (Southend United), Salim Jamal (Al Hilal Omdurman, Sudan), Roy Jayden Onen (Reading, England), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Allan Kyambadde (El Gouna, Egypt), Allan Kateregga (Erbil SC, Iraq)

Officials:

Leader of Delegation: Ronnie Kalema (FUFA Executive Committee member)

Johnathan McKinstry (Head coach), Abdallah Mubiru (Assistant Coach), Livingston Mbabazi (Assistant Coach), Ibrahim Mugisha (Goalkeeping Coach), Alexander McCarthy (Fitness Trainer), Felix Ayobo (Sport Scientist), Emmanuel Nakabago (Doctor), Regan Innocent Baluku (Doctor), Samuel Mulondo (Kitman), Geoffrey Massa (Team manager), Paul Mukatabala (Team officer), Ronald Lusulire (Media Officer

As a way and need to understand the players especially the foreign based stars much better in different aspects, Uganda Cranes head coach Johnathan McKinstry has officially started the Dubai training camp with a class session at JA Ocean View Hotel, Dubai on Thursday afternoon.

The session that lasted for one hour was aimed at creating a strong bond amongst the players in order to build a formidable team.

All the players for the first time converged together with UK based Roy Jayden Onen and Elvis Bwomono who earned their first call to the Senior Team.

McKinstry further highlighted the importance of “TEAM” as Together Everyone Achieves More-something the players digested.

While in Dubai, the Cranes will conduct more class sessions as well as training on the field of play before ending with a friendly game that will be confirmed soon.

The training camp in Dubai is in preparation for the forthcoming 2021 AFCON qualifiers against South Sudan in November and 2020 Cameroon CHAN Tournament which was postponed to January next year.

Uganda Cranes coach Jonathan McKinstry is disappointed that captain Dennis Onyango will not be part of the team’s training camp in Dubai.

The captain was stopped from joining the rest of the team in camp with his club Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa citing several reasons.

Below is a statement from the coach regarding the matter.

We are very disappointed in Mamelodi Sundowns position regarding not releasing Denis Onyango for international duty during the October 2020 FIFA dates.

Whilst they have released other team members for international duty for their respective nations; they communicated to us on Monday of this week (2 weeks after receiving notification of invitation for the player) that they wished to keep Denis Onyango with them on the basis that he would have to quarantine upon return to South Africa.

As a national team we have been clear that we would not call players to this camp who would have to quarantine on return to their respective clubs. (Eg. Players based in Isreal and USA)

We asked Sundowns for evidence of the regulation regarding quarantine, and they were only able to provide information regarding tourists arriving in South Africa, and not residents as is the case for Denis Onyango.

Upon further checking on our side, the SA Government position would appear clear regarding any potential quarantine in that:

“Exceptions exist for business travellers with rare and critical skills, diplomats, investors, repatriated individuals and professional athletes. “

Despite all of this, and direct dialogue between myself (Head Coach), our national teams officer and staff from Sundowns, their position has remained the same.

At this point we must continue on with the camp so we maximise the benefit to all other members of the team.

We would like to state however that Denis Onyango has always been eager to join us in Dubai and we feel he has been put in a very difficult position by his employers. As such we attach no blame in this situation to the player who remains a key part of our plans for AFCON 2022 and World Cup 2022 qualification.

Mamelodi Sundowns are one of the leading clubs in Africa, and this situation, in our opinion differs greatly from the levels of professionalism we have come to expect from them over the years.

Johnathan McKinstry
Head Coach, Uganda Men’s National Team

Uganda Cranes’ journey to Dubai, United Arab Emirates has been pushed to Monday following a delay in travel clearance.

The team (local based and the technical staff) were initially supposed to travel today and had embarked on their journey, however, delay in processing the travel entry clearance to Dubai has caused a set back in the arrangements.

‘The travel plans for Uganda Cranes contingent to Dubai have been rescheduled to Monday 5th October 2020 due a delay in acquiring the travel entry clearance to UAE’ Confirmed FUFA Communications Director, Ahmed Hussein.

‘However the entire team that passed the Covid-19 tests carried out on Thursday has now travelled back to the Cranes Paradise Hotel in Kisasi where they will spend the night and also observe the SOPs set for the camp by the health officials before flying out tomorrow’

Full Delegation:

Players

Goalkeepers:

Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Salim Jamal Magoola (Al Hilal Omdurman, Sudan), Joel Mutakubwa (Kyetume, Uganda), Charles Lukwago (KCCA, Uganda),

Defenders:

Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Alex Kakuba (Desportivo Cova De Piedade, Portugal), Elvis Bwomono (Southend, United, England), Nicholas Wadada (Azam, Tanzania), Bevis Mugabi (Motherwell, Scotland), Samuel Kato (KCCA, Uganda), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers, Uganda), Patrick Mbowa (URA, Uganda)

Midfielders:

Shafiq Kagimu (URA, Uganda), Karim Watambala (Vipers, Uganda), Saidi Kyeyune (URA, Uganda), Allan Kateregga (Erbil, Iraq), Farouk Miya (Konyaspor, Turkey), Allan Kyambadde (El Gouna, Egypt), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers, Uganda), Jayden Onen (Reading, England), David Owori (SC Villa, Uganda), Bright Anukani (KCCA, Uganda)

Forwards:

Derrick Nsibambi (Smouha), Milton Karisa (Vipers, Uganda), Alexis Bbakka (Umea, Sweden), Edrisa Lubega (Paide Linnameeskond, Estonia)

Officials:

Leader of Delegation: Ronnie Kalema (FUFA Executive Committee member)

Johnathan McKinstry (Head coach), Abdallah Mubiru (Assistant Coach), Livingston Mbaabzi (Assistant Coach), Ibrahim Mugisha (Goalkeeping Coach), Alexander McCarthy (Fitness Trainer), Felix Ayobo (Sport Scientist), Emmanuel Nakabago (Doctor), Regan Innocent Baluku (Doctor), Samuel Mulondo (Kitman), Ayub Balyejusa (Kit man), Geoffrey Massa (Team manager), Paul Mukatabala (Team officer), Ronald Lusulire (Media Officer)

H.E YK Museveni granted sports activities the green light to resume in his address to the nation on Sunday and definitely the Uganda Cranes head coach Johnathan McKinstry is not resting on his laurels as the team begins preparations for the forthcoming International break 5th-13th October 2020 and 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier double header against South Sudan in November.

Below is an excerpt from the exclusive interview with coach McKinstry about his plans

On a personal level, how have you been able to go through the lockdown period?

In the last couple of months, myself and the coaching team, we have really dug deep in terms of the game module, looked into what we want to do for the team, every position and the players we have now but also the players for the next few years. That sort of conveyor belt of talent, who we expect to step up in the near future. Therefore, in the last months, we have been able to put in place some good plans. Whereas it’s been a frustrating period for most of the people but ultimately, we have been able to use it effectively and we are better prepared than before.

There is buzz from the public that the lockdown was lifted and football back, how pleased are you?

We were all pleased, not just me but everyone here at FUFA and the wider sports community. We have been eager to get back to the field of play but I think it poses a big challenge for us coaches on how we can rearrange the player, trying to get back to the top in terms of fitness and performance.

The green light to sports means a busy schedule ahead for Uganda Cranes in the forthcoming games. How have you prepared for this?

CAF announced that in November we will be returning to competitive action in terms of playing our Africa Cup of Nation qualifiers against South Sudan, rescheduled from March as the COVID-19 Pandemic escalated around the world.

With that in mind, obviously we have engaged the Government, FUFA and we are pleased to announce a training camp in Dubai in early October.

Why a training camp in Dubai?

We believe that taking the team to Dubai for nine days helps us to achieve a lot of things. We get quality time with the players in class and on grounds which you wouldn’t get before.

Logistically, most of our players are playing across 17 different countries and with restrictions of travel, it would be easy for them to get to Dubai where most of the restrictions have been lifted. It is not straight forward as well but it gives 80% of our players chance and will be available. It’s been a long time since we last played in November last year and obviously, the camp is timely.

Why choose a camp over friendlies games during the International break?

When you look back at the last time we played in November last year against Burkina Faso and Malawi, we only had three training sessions coupled with travelling and playing two games in a space of four days. But here is an opportunity where we think of a huge value of getting to know ourselves better, getting some quality training sessions and the game plan. Definitely, we are looking at an option of a friendly game in Dubai with one of the clubs in the Arab Leagues but that will be confirmed at the end of this week.

How will the composition of the team to be summoned look?

We have already highlighted the travel restrictions in place and four of our foreign based players are likely not to join us. The squad will be 70% composed of foreign based players with the rest coming from the local league. But like I said, with travel restrictions when we fail to get some, there must be other options especially from our league. Equally, this in the long run will definitely help our local legion as we plan for CHAN.

What is the fate of some of the new players you had summoned prior to the lockdown?

Definitely, we still have them in our considerations and it will depend on their availability. But the situation in March is not the situation now. For example, we did not call Farouk Miya in March because he was out injured but he came back strong and ended the season well with his club in Turkey and he has also started the new season with them. You look at players like Derrick Nsibambi in Egypt. It is very important that they are getting playing time week in week out.

You should be impressed that a number of players in foreign leagues are commanding playing time at their respective clubs.

We always tell our players that when they go outside, they have gone to compete at the highest level. Obviously, it takes time to settle in a new environment like it was the case with Miya in Belgium but he showed commitment and is now doing well. When you look at 10 years ago, we only had a few players commanding playing time but that has over the years changed and it is very pleasing that we see many of them playing regularly.

South Sudan is our next opponent and a potential banana skin for us. How are you preparing for them?

South Sudan is a team that we need to look at carefully. It is not a matter of looking at the record books and think it’s a foregone conclusion. They have improved in the last years and whereas they lost to Burkina Faso and Malawi, they only lost 1-0 in both games. They are going to be tough, they are our opponents and have close connections here with some of their players born in Uganda and playing in the Uganda Premier League. However, we shall go into the games against them with full commitment and whoever we field shall be up to the task.

How important will it be for Uganda Cranes to secure maximum points off South Sudan and all but guarantee their place at 2021 AFCON?

It’s all about qualifying and the fact that we have qualified for the last two editions, obviously the minimum should be getting back and go a step better. We definitely have the chance to qualify as soon as we can but we will not take things for granted.