Coach Desabre search for creative spark unrelenting

KAMPALA. A host of fresh and regular faces will work to showcase their best when Uganda Cranes play the first of two international friendlies ahead of the resumption of the2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers later in the year.

Based at Hotel Tenere in the Nigerien capital of Niamey, the Cranes will face hosts today at Stade General Seyni Koutche before ending their five-day camp with a clash against Central Africa Republic (CAR) on Saturday.

Twenty-one players were part of the first session of training in Niamey on Monday, with captain Denis Onyango and Moses Opondo later joining the team last evening.

“I’m happy with the spirit in the team, with the occasion,” said Cranes coach Sebastien Desabre.
“It will be a good week. These two games are very important to build confidence ahead of the qualifiers in September and October.”

Since he arrived last year to takeover at Cranes, Desabre has overseen the team at Chan (mostly supervisory) and had a couple of friendlies matches against Sao Tome and Malawi. In all these matches, one area stood out for serious remedy ahead of qualifying matches in October through November. “I’m still looking for that creative player that can dictate the game,” said Desabre after a goalless draw with Malawi in March.

Allan Kateregga, the FC Cape Town City player, is one of the players Desabre is looking to, to solve his creative midfield conundrum.
“For me it’s always an honour to be called to play for my country,” Kateregga earlier told Daily Monitor, “Yes I just come back from injury and played a few games since then for my club.

“I can’t say they have been my best games because I know I can do better. And the fact that the coach called me to the national team, it means he likes what I do and can help.” Uganda, who top Group A of the 2019 Afcon qualifiers with three points after one game, welcome Tanzania on September 7 before back-to-back encounters against Lesotho in October.
Cranes wrap the year with a home tie against Cape Verde in November before completing the campaign away to Tanzania next March.

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY MATCHES
May 27 – June 3 (Today)
Uganda vs. CAR, Stade General Seyni Kountche
Saturday, June 2
Niger vs. Uganda, Stade General Seyni Kountche
Afcon 2019 Qualifiers
September 7: Uganda vs. Tanzania
October 10: Uganda vs. Lesotho
October 13: Lesotho vs. Uganda
November 16: Uganda vs. Cape Verde
March 22, 2019: Tanzania vs. Uganda

THE UGANDA CRANES SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns),
Salim Jamal (Al Merriekh), Charles Lukwago (KCCA)

Defenders: Denis Iguma (Al-Nabi Sheet Clun), Nico
Wakiro Wadada (Vipers), Murushid Juuko (Simba),
Bevis Mugabi (Yeovil Town), Timothy Denis Awany
(KCCA), Isaac Muleme (Alassiouty Sport)

Midfielders: Joseph Ochaya (Lusaka Dyanmos), Hassan
Wasswa Mawanda (Tala’ea El Gaesh), Khalid Aucho
(Free Agent), Taddeo Lwanga (Vipers), William Kizito
Luwagga (CSM Politechnica Lasi), Milton Karisa
(Vipers), Allan Katerega (Cape Town City), Faruku Miya
(Standard Liege), Moses Opondo (Vendsyssel FF),
Allan Kyambadde (SC Villa Jogoo)

Strikers: Emmanuel Okwi (Simba), Yunus
Ssentamu (KF Tirana), Muhammad Shaban (KCCA FC)
& Edrisa Lubega (Floridisdorfer)

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