Afcon summon amazes Azira

Two years and four months later, Mike Azira is happy again in national colours. The Montreal Impact midfielder is part of the Cranes squad currently camping in Abu Dhabi and is optimist this time round could be for the better. “It feels great to be back,” he told Daily Monitor, “And be part of the national team. This time round I hope to give my best if I am given the chance to play.”

Azira, 31, has had a love-hate relationship with the national team, often not summoned and when called up; hardly used to his strengths. The last time he was used – then by coach Micho Sredojevic - was at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, playing 45 minutes on the left midfield against Ghana and a cameo against Mali. “I mostly play in the midfield and that’s where I enjoy to play but I also play in defence as well,” said the player. Not much has been heard of him since the 1-1 draw with Mali, with Micho’s successor Sebastien Desabre surprisingly including him in the provisional squad to Abu Dhabi despite the player not taking part in the qualification to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. “I was surprised that I was included in the team this time around after not playing in the qualifiers but I guess it’s an opportunity to serve my country,” he admitted.

Azira first heard of his call from his club coach after Desabre spoke with the Montreal boss. “After that coach Desabre also talked with me about coming to the national team.”

The former SC Villa and Colorado Rapids player knows the call-up is not enough. He must earn his place in the final 23 to travel to Egypt on June 17 for Uganda’s successive Nations Cup finals.

“The competition is pretty tight since there is a lot of good players now on the national team and whoever the coach picks will do the job needed.”
Azira appreciates that Uganda are in a difficult group with Egypt, DRC and Zimbabwe.

“Our group is pretty tight and I think Egypt playing at home will be a difficult game, but anything is possible in soccer.

“Winning our first game will set the momentum for the group and I think we have a chance here to go to the next round of 16.”

The Cranes, who are accommodated at Park Rotana Hotel in Abu Dhabi, open their Afcon campaign in Cairo against DRC on June 22, following it with Zimbabwe and wrapping Group A against hosts Egypt.

2019 TOTAL AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS
Groups
A: Egypt (Hosts), DR Congo, Uganda, Zimbabwe
B: Nigeria, Guinea, Madagascar, Burundi
C: Senegal, Algeria, Kenya, Tanzania
D: Morocco, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Namibia
E: Tunisia, Mali, Mauritania, Angola
F: Cameroon, Ghana, Benin, Guinea-Bissau
Cranes Afcon fixtures
June 22: Uganda vs. DR Congo, Cairo
June 26: Uganda vs. Zimbabwe, Cairo
June 30: Egypt vs. Uganda, Cairo
Abu Dhabi camp (May 27-June 17)
June 9: Uganda Cranes vs. Unknown opponent
June 25: Uganda Cranes vs. Ivory Coast

AZIRA AT A GLANCE

Full name: Micheal Azira Date of birth: August 22, 1987
Age: 31 Place of birth: Kampala, Uganda
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Playing position: Midfielder
Current team: Montreal Impact
Former clubs
SC Villa, Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders, Mobile Rams, Mississippi Brilla, Charleston Battery, Seattle Sounders, Colorado Rapids, Switchbacks

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