Schirinzi: Sand Cranes closer to World Cup dream
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On Monday, the Sand Cranes resumed residential training at the Fufa Technical Centre in Njeru with Schirinzi extending an olive branch to new faces in order to address the frailties noted in Durban.
Former Switzerland beach soccer coach Angelo Schirinzi believes the Uganda beach soccer team - Sand Cranes have narrowed the space on African heavyweights Senegal and Mozambique and should now psyche up for the 2023 World Cup 12th edition.
The Swiss, in charge of the Sand Cranes on a short time deal, tested the waters at the just concluded Cosafa beach soccer tourney in South Africa finishing third albeit losing horribly to upcoming Afcon opponents Senegal and Egypt.
On Monday, the Sand Cranes resumed residential training at the Fufa Technical Centre in Njeru with Schirinzi extending an olive branch to new faces in order to address the frailties noted in Durban.
"I'm impressed that the players included in the team are motivated and are ready to challenge the established ones.
"One of the positives we got from Cosafa is that we beat a Mozambique side that represented Africa in the World Cup last year and that gave us belief that with hard work, we can use the Afcon to qualify for the World Cup," Schirinzi noted.
The Sand Cranes, making a second return to Afcon due in Maputo late this month, can only qualify for their maiden World Cup if they make the finals. Uganda occupies Group B alongside Senegal, Madagascar and Egypt while Group A has Mozambique, Malawi, Nigeria and Morocco.
Like the Dakar edition, the Sand Cranes will open up with six-time winners Senegal on October 22 before taking on Madagascar the following day and then take on Egypt on October 24.
"We have to move forward, increase the quality of our setpieces and work tooth and nail towards our world Cup ambitions," Schirinzi added.
Steven Nyalimo(Kiringente), Nicholas Mwere(Jinja Lions), Onyango Herbert (Jinja Lions), Peter Mukwata (Mutoola) and Sharif Lubega (Buganda Royal ) are the new kids on the block pushing for berths on the plane to Mozambique week Wednesday.
Afcon Beach Soccer tourney
Mozambique, Maputo
October 21-28
Group A: Mozambique, Malawi, Nigeria and Morocco
Group B: Uganda, Senegal, Madagascar and Egypt
Sand Cranes fixtures
October 22: Senegal vs. Uganda
October 23: Uganda vs. Madagascar
October 24: Uganda vs. Egypt
Summoned Afcon Beach Soccer Team
Goalkeepers
Samson Kirya, Meddie Kibirige and Ronald Mutebi
Defenders
Peter Mukwata, Sharif Lubega , Paul Lule, Jonathan Kikonyogo, Allan Katwe, Asharif Apuuli, Paul Kato, Ronald Magwali, Herbert Onyango
Forwards
Isma Kawawulo, Baker Lukoya, Ambrose Kigozi, Joshua Lubwama, Shaka Ssozi, Nicholas Mwere, Godfrey Lwesibawa, Brian Nkuubi and Steven Nyalimo
