Category: Uganda Cranes

The FA President of South Sudan Chabur Goc Alei is a happy man after paying a courtesy to FUFA House where he held talks with his Ugandan counterpart Eng. Moses Magogo on Monday afternoon.

Chabur was accompanied by a strong team from South Sudan.

‘It is a special day in my life. It is a special day for South Sudan. I am glad to visit the home of football in Uganda for the first time’ said Chabur

The meeting was also attended by CEO Edgar Watson, FUFA Vice Presidents Darius Mugoye and Denis Mbidde plus two Executive Committee members Dr. Patrick Bernard Ogwel and Hamid Juma.

 

‘Uganda is our second home if not the first. Our history in football shows a strong bond between Uganda and South Sudan. We played our first international match against Uganda which ended 2-2 in 2012’ added a jovial Chabur.

The FUFA President was also a delighted man.

‘Ugandans will always welcome the people of South Sudan anytime they wish to play football with us. We shall support the young nation in football. Such meetings usually yield results and we are hopeful its purpose will lead to bigger things’ said Magogo.

While addressing the public live on 102.1 FUFA fm, Chabur noted that;

‘I have very good friends in Uganda. The FUFA CEO Edgar Watson, Mr. Lawrence Mulindwa and the Current FUFA President. So I feel at home’

On Uganda’s chances of making it to the 2017 AFCON Finals, Chabur said that when the Uganda Cranes qualify, they will done done a good job for the entire region.

‘We shall support Uganda in September when the Cranes play Comoros. We believe they will perform well’ added Chabur who was taken around on a guided tour of the FUFA House.

AFCON 2017  QUALIFIERS – Group D

UGANDA CRANES VS COMOROS – 3RD SEPTEMBER 2016

At Nelson Mandela National Stadium, Namboole

There are exactly 57 days to the long awaited Uganda Cranes versus Comoros AFCON 2017 group D qualifier at Nelson Mandela National Stadium.

Uganda Cranes head coach, Milutin Sredojevic believes the time left is not so much and preparations have started immediately.

“We do not have enough time to prepare for the game against Comoros. We only have 57 days left. We need to prepare the players well technically, tactically and physically” Micho told the media at the FUFA Weekly press conference held on Wednesday in Mengo, Kampala.

Uganda has 10 points in group D, same with Burkina Faso heading into the last game with Comoros at home.

Three points for Uganda on the day will see the Cranes qualify to the African Cup of Nations finals for the first time since Ghana 1978.

Burkina Faso shall be against Botswana in Ouagadougou on the same day.

The victorious National football team-Uganda Cranes returned home early this morning from Botswana.

Except for Tony Mawejje who returned to his club in Iceland and Lorenzen Melvyn who never featured in the 2017 AFCON qualifier against Botswana, the rest of the team came back home.

The players and officials were received by a strong FUFA delegation led by 1st Vice President Justus Mugisha, 2nd VP Darius Mugoye and FUFA CEO Edgar Watson.

‘Let us plan for the remaining fixture. We shall not rest on our laurels. September is not far away. I am happy with the result’ Cranes coach Milutin Sredojevic told fufa.co.ug on arrival at Entebbe Airport.

Cranes beat Botswana 2-1 to remain level on ten points with Burkina Faso in Group D with the final round of fixtures coming up in September.

Cranes will play bottom team Comoros at Nambole while Burkina Faso host Botswana.

MAIN PHOTO: Opening goal scorer Kizito Luwagga (Red) greeting FUFA 2nd Vice President Darius Mugoye.

2017 AFCON Qualifier

Botswana vs Uganda (4pm in Botswana, 5pm EAST)

Saturday 4th June, 2016

Venue: Francistown Sports Complex in City of Francistown

Uganda Cranes arrived safely this morning in Francistown, ahead of Saturday’s 2017 AFCON Qualifier.

From Bulawayo where the Cranes flew in from Harare on Thursday-the players had a training session and spent a night at Rainbow Hotel. On Friday morning they embarked on a one and half hours journey by road to Francistown.

They were received at the Plumtree Border post at 9.30am local time (10.20am EAST) by Botswana Football Associations (BFA) Competitions Manager Stephen Maleta.

The team was then driven in the Botswana F.A bus from the boarder at Ramokgwebana upto the team hotel, Cresta Thapama. Final training session will be on Friday evening.

The Ugandan contingent now has 18 players whose Leader of Delegation is FUFA Vice President Denis Mbidde.  FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo has also been with the team since Tuesday for moral support as the leader of football in the country.

AFCON 2017 Qualifier (Group D): Saturday 4th June 2016

Botswana Vs Uganda – Francistown

Time: 5pm EAT (4pm in Botswana) 

Miya Faruku

On disembarking off the flight from Addis to Harare on Monday afternoon, Miya Faruku felt severe dizziness and had to seek medical attention from the Uganda Cranes team doctors on whose recommendation further medical examination was sought in Zimbabwe.

The player was discharged after undergoing a series of tests but was able to train later with the rest of the team on Monday evening in Harare.

On examination of  results from the tests carried out, there has been nothing strange found but the concern is what could have caused the sudden severe dizziness that the player experienced.  Nothing has been established yet.

However the doctors have recommended that until the cause and probably remedy of the dizziness is established,  the player  remains rested from strenuous exercises as a preventive measure.

The player is  currently in very good shape as further examinations are being carried out to conclude the case.

Until his case is concluded by the doctors the player will remain rested.

We are optimistic that the player will get a green light to be available for selection on Saturday against Botswana but in case he does not, we value life ahead of the interests of the team and there are other players on the team that will ably fill his gap for the accomplishment of our mission.

 Melvyn Lorenzen

German based player, Melvyn Lorenzen will not be available for selection on Saturday in the game against Botswana.

Whereas the  coaches have found the player a very good addition technically to the team after the training and trial match against Zimbabwe,  the player has appreciated the reception and co-operation he has received from his teammates.

However he has asked to be given more time to take the decision to play for the Uganda Cranes and the decision time will well be after the match against Botswana.
‘I am honoured to have been received and accepted by the players, coaches,  officials and the love extended by the fans and the opportunity to play for my nation of descent.

I am  aware of the team’s objectives  but in order to help me take such a big decision, I definitely need more time to reflect and take the big decision. So far I am extremely impressed’ said Melvyn
FUFA fully respects the procedure desired by Melvyn in order to represent Uganda and has granted him his wish optimistic that at a later date he will be available for selection to the Uganda Cranes.
‘We shall definitely miss the extra impetus he would bring to the team as was seen in the friendly match against Zimbabwe but for now we shall concentrate on the able players we have in the team to accomplish our mission’ said Uganda Cranes Head coach Milutin Sredojevic.

Whereas the paper requires an authorization of the Germany government to obtain dual citizenship that had not yet been received, it is not the reason why Melvyn will not be available for selection as this was always going to be overcome in time but his desire to take more time for the big decision.

On this note, FUFA wishes to thank the Government of Uganda particularly the entire Immigration personnel but more importantly Hon Mike Mukula and Hon Erasu who facilitated the expedition of the process of getting the dual citizenship and consequently the Ugandan Passport. Everybody acted in the spirit of our Nation

It is Our Game, It is Our Country

Uganda Cranes will take on Zimbabwe this afternoon in an intertional friendly match in Harare.

Head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has named his starting XI.

Robert Ondongkara (GK), Denis Iguma, Godfrey Walsuimbi, Isaac Isinde, Murusgid Juuko, Hassan Wasswa, Luwagga Kizito, Yassar Mugerwa, Geoffrey Massa (Capt), Lorenzen Melvyn, Emmanuel Okwi

Subs: Denis Onyango, Joseph Ochaya, Aucho Khalid, Tony Mawejje, Edris Lubega, Erisa Sekisambu and Davis Kasirye

MAIN PHOTO: Skipper Geoffrey Massa with a hood on his head will lead the Cranes attack against Zimbabwe in Harare. 

Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has named a 19 man squad that leaves early hours of Monday morning to Harare and Francistown where they will play Zimbabwe and Botswana on Tuesday and Saturday respectively.

They will be welcomed in Harare by FUFA advance team of Finance Director Decolas Kiiza who left on Saturday morning.

Micho’s squad has German based player Melvyn Lorenzen who has been training with the team since joining from his club Werder Bremen.

‘We are happy with the process of documentation of Melvyn’s papers to secure him a National passport. The Immigration office has been helpful. Hon. Mike Mukula an ardent football fan has been of great help as well in a bid to help FUFA secure the player’s passport. We are optimistic that the only missing paper to be issued by the German Government will be sent in time for the player to feature for Uganda Cranes against Botswana on 4th June, 2016’

Cranes who will fly aboard Ethiopian Airlines, will be joined by two players on Monday in Harare and these are; Denis Onyango and Yassar Mugerwa while Tony Mawejje arrives on Tuesday morning.

Ethiopia based stars goalkeeper Robert Odongkara and defender Isaac Isinde will link up with the team via Addis Ababa before connecting to Zimbabwe.

The  Traveling Contingent:

Leader of Delegation: Denis Mbidde Ssebugwawo

Head coach: Sredojevic Milutin

Assistant coach: Moses Basena

Goalkeeping coach: Fred Kajoba

Team Doctor: Ronald Kisolo

Physiotherapist: Ivan Ssewanyana

Team Coordinator: Crispus Muyinda

Team players: Denis Onyango, Robert Odongkara, Denis Iguma, Joseph Ochaya, Luwagga Kizito, Okwi Emma, Wasswa Hassan Mawanda, Juuko Murushid, Sekisambu Erisa, Kasirye Davis, Massa Geoffrey, Miya Faruku, Lorenzen Melvyn, Walusimbi Godfrey, Aucho Khalid, Lubega Idrisa,  Isinde Isaac, Tony Mawejje and Yassar Mugerwa.

After four days of non residential training, the Uganda National football team ‘The Cranes’ started their residential training on Saturday ahead of the AFCON Qualifiers encounter against Botswana and a friendly against Zimbabwe.

The team is residing at Sky Hotel, Nalya with fifteen players in camp who reported on Saturday.

The team had a joint training session with SC Villa where later had a trial match which Cranes won 4-0 courtesy of Geoffrey Massa with a brace, Emma Okwi and Melvyn Lorenzen.

The team is to have the last training session on Sunday before setting off for Zimbabwe aboard Ethiopian Airline early Monday morning.

Rwanda based Davis Kasirye expressed his honor of the summon the National football team and pledged to give in whatever possible to break through to the starting team.

“Though there are challenges because it’s my first call up, I play my role as a team member to provide the best to the coach and I leave the rest to him to decide’’ noted Kasirye.

Team Training resumes Sunday morning at Namboole.

Meanwhile, the head of the FUFA advance party, Decolas Kizza arrived in Harare city on Saturday afternoon.

Players in Camp:

Salim Jamal, Denis Iguma, Joseph Ochaya, Godfrey Walusimbi, Murshid Juuko, Hassan Wasswa, Khalid Aucho, Faruku Miya,William Kizito Luwagga, Erisa Ssekisambu, Melvyn Lorenzen, Emma Okwi, Davis Kasirye, Edris Lubega and Geoffrey Massa

The Uganda National football team ‘The Cranes’  has entered into day 3 of non- residential training.

Nine players attended Thursday’s training at Mandela National Stadium, Nambole where the coach’s emphasis was on crossing long balls and shooting from a distance.

While speaking to www.fufa.co.ug the team coach Sredojevic ‘Micho’ Milutin said that the local based players haven’t  been part of the training because of the commitments with their clubs as the league ends on Friday.

KCCA’s Joseph Ochaya and Vipers’ Erisa Ssekisambu trained with their respective clubs in preparation for Friday’s league engagements.

‘I expect more players to join and by Saturday we shall be with 15 players while the rest will connect to Harare’ Micho stated.

Yassar Mugerwa, Robert Odongkara, Tonny Mawejje, Isaac Isinde and Denis Onyango will fly to Harare.

Uganda will have a friendly match with Zimbabwe on Tuesday 31^st March 2016 before traveling to Francistown in Botswana for the AFCON 2017 qualifier match.

Players who have attended day 3 training:

Salim Jamal, Denis Iguma, Murshid Juuko, Hassan Wasswa, Faruku Miya, Geoffrey Massa, Edris Lubega, Emma Okwi and Melvyn Lorenzen.

The team flies out on Monday (1am) for Harare.

Meanwhile Rayon Sport striker, Davis Kasirye jetted in on Thursday afternoon from his base in Rwanda. He is expected to join the rest of the players in training today at Namboole stadium.