End of another campaign; who stays, who goes?

Five strenuous months have seen the Uganda Cranes play 10 games.
During that period, a little more than 35 players have been invited as coach Micho Sredojevic anticipated before the Cranes first preliminary game against Madagascar back in May.

While some are approaching the sunset of their careers, others made their debuts during the campaign and thus expected around for a while longer. Some though, have become mainstays; others fluffed their opportunities while a number remain on the fringes of the national team set up. After Wednesday’s 2-0 loss to Guinea, we project what the end of this qualifying campaign could spell for their international careers.

Goalkeepers: Dennis Onyango, Robert Odongkara, Benjamin Ochan, Hamza Muwonge, Ismail Watenga, Salim Jamal
By the end of the campaign he was no longer in the picture but perhaps this campaign would not have come this far had it not been for Ismail Watenga’s save in Madagascar.

The future certainly looks bright for the Vipers custodian. The same though cannot be said of Thika United’s Hamza Muwonge who was first displaced by Watenga at Vipers and with Salim Jamal knocking on the door looks unlikely to return.

In a department rarely short of options, the faster Benjamin Ochan gets more playing time the better for his career if any chances of dislodging the safe pair of Dennis Onyango and Robert Odongkara are to materialise.

Ochan has not appeared in goal for his club side SC Victoria University (SCVU) over a pay dispute since the home and away games against Togo last month.

DEFENDERS

Andrew Mwesigwa, Savio Kabugo, Joseph Ochaya, Alex Kakuba, Isaac Muleme, Denis Guma, Nicolas Wadada Joseph Owino, Isaac Isinde, Henry Kalungi, Ivan Bukenya, Richard Kasagga, Martin Kizza, Habib Kavuma

After a decade on the team, retirement for captain Andy Mwesigwa who is these days a tad slower is not too far off the horizon. Isaac Isinde after being dislodged in central defence has re-established himself at right back after Dennis Guma was dropped for a similar issue with Ochan at SCVU.

Because of his versatility, Guma still has the ability to force his way back though. At left back, Godfrey Walusimbi has been one of the country’s most consistent performers and still has the intelligence to last him at least five years in the set up.

Savio Kabugo has meanwhile been one of the revelations for the Cranes, capped a fine year with the winning goal against Ghana and could feature for many more years.

Injury meant Henry Kalungi has barely had any action but the central defender still has age on his side to try and force his way back into the team.

The fact that the first qualifier games were not on the Fifa calendar made it impossible for the gangly central defender to stake his claim but has surprisingly been overlooked since.

He and Richard Kasagga however possess the ability to feature prominently in future if they maintain their progress.

The rest of Alex Kakuba, Nicolas Wadada Joseph Owino appears not to be trusted much by Micho with the latter seemingly without age on his side.

Currently without a club, former Asante Kotoko left back joseph Ochaya could find it difficult to dislodge even Isaac Muleme after his horror show Madagascar while more a little more consistency from Muleme could be of help.
Martin Kizza and Habib Kavuma appear not to have bright futures similarly while Micho is still in charge and have mainly been used as stop gap replacements.

MIDFIELDERS

Midfielders: Aucho Khalid, Geoffrey Kizito , Hassan Wasswa , Gaddafi Kiwanuka, Moses Oloya, Kizito Luwagga, Tonny Mawejje, Ivan Ntege, Allan Kyambadde, Martin Mutumba, Brian Majwega, mike Azira, Mike Sserumaga, Miya Farouk
After a slow start fuelled by lack of playing time at Norwegian club Haugesund, Tony Mawejje has shown that he is perhaps still the country’s best midfielder.

This will only make it harder for players such as Ivan Ntege, Gaddafi Kiwanuka Allan Kyambadde, who are on the fringes to break into the team unless their game makes marked improvement. Hassan Wasswa could yet resurface in the set up if he can utilize his physique as an asset rather than it becoming a liability now that he is playing actively.

The enigmatic Mike Sserumaga has shown that a comeback is possible while more consistency from the talented but erratic Moses Oloya and Kizito Luwagga could greatly boost the team’s creative department.

Miya Farouk (Left) appears to have a calm head on his shoulders and should be around for awhile, while Seattle Sounders’ Mike Azira could be greatly useful if his personal relationship with the coach improves.

Geoffrey Kizito and Aucho Khalid have shown consistency required to have them longer in the team in addition to the versatility and ability of Brian Majwega.

Martin Mutumba for all his flair needs to show more confidence especially in a Cranes jersey and perhaps get a new club if his career is to take another upward turn.

STRIKERS

Geoffrey Massa, Emmanuel Okwi, Hamis Kiiza, Dan Sserunkuma, Tony Odur, Herman Wasswa, Francis Olaki, Yunus Sentamu , Brian Umony, Robert Sentongo
Strikers are judged by goals and if at least half of the 10 strikers Micho has called keep the goals coming and their confidence is up can still be of value to the team.

For now though, Tony Odur, who suffered a nasty knee injury at Zambian club Nkana, Francis Olaki who has struggled for playing time in Albania appear furthest in the pecking order.

Hamis Kiiza whose lack of goals and poor personal relationship with Micho is a bother, is not far behind while Brian Umony, Emmanuel Okwi have a strong fight to deliver on their earlier promise. Geoffrey Massa meanwhile remains the country’s best striker as the four goals in the seven games he has played attest.

THE COACH
A shrewd tactician, Micho has shown in his one and half years in charge that he can get results against the continent’s big boys like getting four points off Ghana prove.

At times however he has shown inconsistency like insisting on fielding Hassan Wasswa, Godfrey Walusimbi, Emmanuel Okwi when they had contract disputes with their clubs and doing otherwise in refusing to call up Guma and Ochan.

There have also been clashes with a number of players including Azira, Kalungi and Kiiza which raises questions about his man management style.

With only six months left on his two year contract it would not come as a surprise if an extension is not forthcoming.

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