Coach Abdallah Mubiru is confident Uganda Cranes will put on quite a performance at the Council of South Africa Football Association (Cosafa) tournament in Durban, South Africa.
A 29-man contingent featuring 20 players and nine officials will today fly to Durban, South Africa as a guest team at the annual tournament for teams from Southern Africa.
The team is led by Fufa executive committee member Richard Ochom.
The Cosafa bound team has been under a two-week residential training at the StarTimes Stadium in Lugogo under the guidance of Mubiru and his assistant Charles Livingstone Mbabazi.
“Every player is ready to give his best in the Cosafa championship. The players know the value of team work. I have full confidence in my players and I expect them to deliver,” said Mubiru, who is stepping in for Sebastien Desabre.
Desabre is handling another Cranes team that will represent the country at the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Kirinya Jinja SS defender Isaac Isinde has been named Captain while Juma Balinya, who was dropped from the Egypt bound Cranes has been included on the Cosafa team.
Egypt based forward Isiagi Daniel is called in to replace Allan Okello who withdrew from the team to go for trials with Switzerland based FC Zurich and Micheal Birungi comes in for Bashir Mutanda who pulled out with a muscle injury.
The Cranes will start the tournament, which kicked off on Sunday at the Quarter finals stage against Lesotho on Saturday June, June 1, 2019 at the Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban.
In case the Uganda Cranes lose the quarter final game to Lesotho, they will play in the Plate Semifinals which will be composed of the other three losing quarter-finalists.
While other teams progress from the quarters to the ‘normal’ semifinals and later the final. The Plate competition will also have its own final.
Cosafa bound Players
Goalkeepers: Charles Lukwago (KCCA FC), James Alitho (URA FC)
Defenders: Paul Willa (Police FC), Kizza Mustafa (KCCA FC), Revita John (Express FC), Isaac Isinde (Kirinya Jinja SS), Hassan Musana (KCCA FC), Mustafa Mujuzi (Proline FC), Paul Mbowa (URA FC)
Midfielders: Muzamir Mutyaba (KCCA FC), Shafik Kagimu (URA FC), Nicolas Kasozi (KCCA FC), Allan Kayiwa (Tooro United), Juma Balinya (Police FC), Mucureezi Paul (Mbarara City)
Forwards: Nelson Senkatuka (Bright Stars), Bright Anukani (Proline FC), Dan Sserunkuuma (Vipers SC), Micheal Birungi (Express FC), Daniel Isiagi (Al-Nasr, Egypt)
Team Officials
Leader of Delegation: Richard Ochom
Team Coordinator: Massa Geoffrey
Head Coach: Abdallah Mubiru
Assistant Coach: Charles Livingstone Mbabazi
Goalkeeping Coach: Sadiq Wassa
FUFA Delegate: Robert Serunjogi
Team Doctor: Nakabago Emmanuel
Kits Manager: Bumpejje Frank
Media Officer: Bwanika Lawrence
