Uganda to camp in Europe in $2m Afcon budget

Kampala.

Funds permitting, Uganda Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic is hopeful the national team can reach at least the quarterfinals of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Among the key components of the Serbian coach’s schedule is a camp in a yet to be identified European country before travelling to Libreville, Gabon in January.

“We plan to have a camp in Europe before the tournament,” Micho told the media at the Fufa’s weekly media briefing yesterday.

He did not, however, divulge on the facts of how a camp in Europe would help Cranes as they head to another African country for a tournament they last featured in 38 years.

It’s perhaps the facilities there that will propel the side to at the least quarterfinals as Fufa seek funding from government in excess of Shs6.8b (about US$2m).

Fufa president Moses Magogo reiterated this demand too at the same briefing, a day after parliament moved a motion to demand that government funds Cranes’ entire budget enroute to Gabon where the tournament will be staged.

“By qualifying, we now belong with the big boys. And to sit on the table, you must wear a fitting suit. From those who have been there, we need US$2m,” Magogo said.

Magogo and Micho seem to have buried the latter’s recent dissatisfaction over unpaid wages as the former revealed that all federation officials hadn’t been paid for the greater good.
“All resources were invested into the qualification. We have to thank our staff for bearing with us,” Magogo revealed, Micho sitting to his left.

Micho sounded focused on his task, opting to speak about the Nations Cup and the upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign that starts next month, unveiling a 30-man squad for the latter.
“The bigger picture is making the quarterfinals in the Afcon tourney,” Micho noted. “After that, you never know because that’s football.”

Uganda were beaten finalists at the Nations Cup back in 1978 and the bulk of those who booked a return ticket made Micho’s provisional side for Ghana on October 7.

As this newspaper revealed yesterday, US-based Mike Azira and striker Hamis Kiiza (Free State Stars) have been recalled.

Clubless Hassan Wasswa, custodian Robert Odongkara, Vincent Kayizzi, Geoffrey Sserunkuuma have no place on the team.

Before facing Ghana, Cranes will camp in Lome and play Togo.
Togo is coached by Frenchman Claude Le Roy who Micho called “his idol” for “taking nine African countries to at least the quarterfinals” while winning with Cameroon in 1988.

For a change, Uganda will host one of the 15 Nations’ Cup qualifiers before facing Congo Brazzaville here in November as part of the preparations.

“The (Uganda Premier) league will break of on December 12 to allow local-based players to prepare for Gabon,” Micho noted. The Nations Cup starts on January 14.

UGANDA CRANES SQUAD
Goalkeeper
Dennis Onyango, Salim Jamal , Benjamin Ochan, Ismail Watenga
Defenders
Nicholas Wadada, Dennis Iguma, Joseph Nsubuga, Isaac Isinde, Murushid Jjuuko, Rashid Toha, Timothy Awany , Halid Lwaliwa , Joseph Ochaya, Godfrey Walusimbi
Midfielders
Mike Azira , Godfrey Kizito, Aucho Khalid, Ivan Ntege, Moses Oloya , Tonny Mawejje, Luwagga Kizito, Vitalis Tabu
Strikers
Hamis ‘Diego’ Kizza, Geoffrey Massa, Emmanuel Okwi , Yunus Sentamu , Farouk Miya, Erisa Ssekisambu, Muhammad Shaban, Edrisa Lubega