Uganda Cranes caretaker coach Abdallah Mubiru has taken charge of his first training session on Tuesday morning ahead of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) tournament due May 25-June 8 in Durban, South Africa.
The Cranes who were invited for the tournament will start at the quarter final stage against Lesotho at the Princess Magog stadium in Durban.
However, today’s morning session at the StarTimes Stadium in Lugogo lasted for two hours with 14 of the 21 summoned players all turning up for training. KCCA FC players who were allowed to take part in their team’s trophy parade on Tuesday morning were the exception.
Mubiru’s assistant Morley Byekwaso also did not take part in the training as he was also part of KCCA’s merry making but goal keeping coach Saddiq Wassa and team manager, former Cranes captain Geoffrey Massa were all available.
Byekwaso and all KCCA players are expected to join up with the squad who entered residential camp at Sky Hotel in Naalya.
Mubiru had earlier said he is ready for the challenge at Cosafa and despite FUFA not giving them any specific objectives, they are aiming at winning the trophy for Uganda.
“This is a challenge we are ready for no doubt. We were not given any specific objectives because we are only here as care-takers since coach Sebastien Desabre will be handling the AFCON squad but we definetly want to win this championship,” Mubiru told Watchdog Uganda.
“Some have questioned local coaches’ ability to handle The Cranes but this could be our big calling if we put a good account of ourselves and I want to thank FUFA’s technical committee for considering us and giving us this chance as it could be a spring board to better.”
On Thursday, May 16, the Afcon-bound team is expected to play against Mubiru’s charges in a friendly game at the Mandela National Stadium Namboole.
COSAFA Squad
Goalkeepers: Said Keni (SC Villa), Jack Komaketch (Uganda U-17)
Defenders: Paul Willa (Police), John Revita (Express), Mustafa Kizza (KCCA), Paul Mbowa (URA), Hassan Musana (KCCA), Filbert Obenchan (KCCA) and Isaac Inside (Kirinya)
Midfielders: Ivan Eyam (Mbarara City), Bright Anukani (Proline), David Owori (SC Villa), Paul Mucureezi (Mbarara City), Muzamiru Mutyaba (KCCA), Shafik Kagimu (URA), Michael Birungi (Express) and Nicholas Kasozi (KCCA).
Strikers: Bashir Mutanda (SC Villa), Daniel Sserunkuma (Vipers), Nelson Senkatuka (Bright Stars) and Allan Kayiwa (Tooro United)
Head Coach: Abdallah Mubiru
Assistant Coach: Morley Byekwaso
Goal Keeping coach: Saddiq Wassa
Team Manager: Geoffrey Massa
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