Club switch fires up Wasswa for Cranes

Hassan Wasswa (R) vies for the ball with former Kenyan international striker Mike Baraza during the 2012 Cecafa Cup final at Namboole Stadium. Wasswa captained Uganda Cranes to the title. Photo by Ismail Kezaala

KAMPALA- Uganda Cranes defensive midfielder Hassan Wasswa Mawanda is close to sealing a deal in Lebanon which offers him timely lifeline ahead of national team duty that starts today with a friendly game against Kenya at Namboole.

Wasswa, whose contract at his Iraq-based side Al Shorta elapsed three months ago, says he is ready to repay the trust extended to him by Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic.
“I’m a fighter and the coach knows that pretty well.
Even though I have not been playing regularly at club level, I have been doing training sessions with different clubs in Uganda. The fact I impressed on trials and I will be signing a new deal in Lebanon immediately after the Cranes game suggests that I’m in great shape to play against Kenya and Comoros,” Wasswa said but refused to reveal the name of the club he is joining.

Daily Monitor, however, understands that the former KCCA and Villa versatile player, has had trials with three clubs in Lebanon but is likely to team up with Cranes teammate Denis Guma at Al-Ahed.

Wasswa has been in this state before – after a bitter six-month spat with former employers KCCA in 2013 – but defied the odds to impress the at the 2014 Chan tournament in South Africa.

The return of Godfrey ‘Baba’ Kizito adds to Micho’s midfield selection dilemma with the Serb likely to push Wasswa further back to backline position to accommodate a three-man midfield set of Tony Mawejje, Khalid Aucho and Kizito.

“I’m ready to play in any position (central defence, right back or midfield) the coach employs me in. What will matter is getting the must-win at Namboole,” Wasswa added.
In the absence of suspended Guma at right-back, there is a school of thought that Micho may shift Isaac Isinde to full-back and pair Wasswa and Murushid Jjuuko at the heart of defence.

Yet the Cranes tactician also has a plan B of playing either England- based Bevis Mugabi or local-based duo of Joseph Nsubuga and Nicholas Wadada at right-back.

AFCON QUALIFIERS (SUNDAY)
Uganda vs. Comoros, 5pm
(Namboole Stadium)
TODAY AT NAMBOOLE
International friendly:
Uganda vs. Kenya, 4pm