Uganda Cranes challenge this week on Thursday, face Tanzania’s Taifa Stars in an International Friendly game.
The game that will be played at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam is part of events to commemorate Tanzania’s 60 years of Independence.
Coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has summoned a total of 18 locally-based players that will travel to Tanzania on Thursday.
He also thanked Clubs and coaches for granting permission to the players summoned despite the invitation coming on short notice.
“I thank coaches that have stretched and allowed us to use some of the players bearing in mind that the League has not been stopped.” He said.
The coach indicates that this game helps to widen the pool of players as preparations for the 2022 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) Qualifiers commence.
“We have started preparations for the qualification campaign of CHAN 2022 in Algeria. This allows us to widen the pool of players.
Players Summoned
Goalkeepers: Joel Mutakubwa (ExpressFC), Jack Komakech (Vipers SC)
Defenders: James Begisa (UPDF FC), Ibrahim Juma (KCCA FC), Najib Fesali (URA FC), Joseph Bright Vuni (Arua Hill SC), Farouk Katongole (URA FC)
Midfielders: George Kasonko (BUL FC), John Byamukama (Express FC), Joseph Akandwanaho (Express FC), Travis Mutyaba (SC Villa), Steven Munguchi (Gaddafi FC), Frank Ssenyondo (Wakiso Giants FC), Frank Mulimi (Gaddafi FC)
Forwards: Ivan Asaba (Vipers SC), Alfred Leku (Arua Hill), Samuel Ssenyonjo (KCCA FC), Patrick Kaddu (Unattached)
Also, Read: Taifa stars names 25-man squad for world cup qualifiers
The cranes in a training session. Najib Fesali with the ball. Photo by FUFA Media
Cranes recent games
With the just concluded World Cup Qualifying campaign that saw all East African nations fail to make it to the next round, the two sides will hope to build on that disappointment.
The cranes finished their campaign on nine points, seven-shot of table leaders Mali who progressed to the next round.
The Cranes failed to register maximum points from Kenya having shared the spoils both in Nairobi and Kampala despite beating Rwanda home in both legs. The team then lost in Mali and drew in Kampala.
Despite getting an abrupt invite, the cranes will have several fringe players available for selection from their respective clubs.
Cranes to challenge Taifa stars in friendly, Cranes only managed two wins, three draws, and lost once further scoring three goals and conceding two to finish second in the group.
Importance of match
The game will help to widen the pool of players as preparations for the 2022 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers commence.
This will in addition provide local-based players the chance to showcase their potential amidst opportunities for the near future selection.
With the Cranes having several senior players backing off the national team in recent months, coach Micho needs to build a fresh team based on a crop of younger players.
Former team captain and goalkeeper, Denis Onyango, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda retiring. Current skipper Emmanuel Okwi’s recent poor form has resulted in missing games for the side in the recent qualifiers.
Micho will be optimistic going into this game to get a positive result.
The Taifa stars
The two sides have met 15 times in total matches played with the Taifa stars winning only thrice and drawing three times too. On the other hand, the Uganda Cranes have had the bragging rights winning nine with most wins happening in Kampala.
In 2019, Tanzania battered the cranes 3-0 in a game that saw them qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations after nearly four decades.
Simon Msuva, Erasto Nyonyi, and Aggrey Morris scored a goal apiece for the Taifa Stars.
The team lost to DR Congo 3-0 at home and 1-0 away to Benin in the recent world cup qualifiers.
The game will serve as a great chance for both sides to try and shape up their squads ahead of forthcoming games.
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