Bwomono, Ikpeazu in line to be capped

English-born Ugandan striker Uche Mubiru Ikpeazu will hope to wrap a year of adversity and promise with a debut for his country when the Cranes face South Sudan next month.
The towering Wycombe Wanderers centre forward has shaken off a hamstring nag that kept him out of Cranes Dubai trip a fortnight ago to be named in the squad for the task. Born to a Nigerian father and Ugandan mother in London 25 years ago, Ikpeazu - who settled for his mother’s home, is now surely closest to his dream after Covid-19 interrupted his first call-up in March.

Dream come true
“It’s always been a dream to represent my country,” he said then before the two - now 2022 - Afcon qualifying matches were postponed to next month.
“I thank God for this opportunity and I’m looking forward to testing myself at international level, and hopefully achieving great things with Uganda Cranes.”  It has indeed been a mixed year for the striker, one of the 20 foreign-based Cranes players named to face South Sudan by Uganda coach Johnny McKinstry yesterday. His last season was one plagued by injuries, which also saw his former manager at Scottish club - Hearts, Daniel Stendel, deem him surplus to requirements.

Redemption
But soon he got suitors in August,  signing a three-year-deal at newly promoted English Championship side Wycombe Wanderers. “Uche (Ikpeazu) is a player I’ve always admired, going right back to the start of his career with Reading and Watford’s under-23 sides,” his new manager Gareth Ainsworth, said at the time.
“I’m delighted that the time has come for us to bring him to Wycombe Wanderers.” Ikpeazu netted 10 goals for Hearts in 55 appearances but a hamstring injury had limited him to just one in six games at his new club, Wycombe, by press time.  The encouraging news is that he is now fit again and has five league matches to gain more fitness before Uganda face South Sudan at St Mary’s Kitende next month.

New dimension
Coach McKinstry rates the towering man highly, and believes Ikpeazu will offer the physical and forward intelligence to the Cranes game.
“He is tall (6’3), brings other players in the game and will bring something new to the team,” explained McKinstry. Another man due a debut is Southend’s  21-year-old defender Elvis Bwomono, who was born in Uganda but moved with his parents to England aged three.
Bwomono, who was voted his club’s Player of the Month six times in a row last season, has so far played in all six league games for his club.
He can play across the backline and is good in the tackle and going forward.
 “We are confident that these boys are coming in to compete and show they merit a place on the team,” reaffirmed McKinstry.

SUMMONED SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Salim Jamal Magoola (Al Hilal Omdurman, Sudan)
Defenders: Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Alex Kakuba (Desportivo, Portugal), Elvis Bwomono (Southend, United, England), Nicholas Wadada (Azam, Tanzania), Timothy Awany (Ashdod, Israel), Ronald Mukiibi (Ostersunds FK, Sweden)
Midfielders: Farouk Miya (Konyaspor, Turkey), Allan Kyambadde (El Gouna, Egypt), Khalid Aucho (El Makasa, Egypt), Kizito Luwagga (Hapoel Kfar Saba, Israel), Mike Azira (Chicago Fire, Canada - USA), Allan Okello (Paradou, Algeria)
Forwards: Derrick Nsibambi (Smouha), Alexis Bbakka (Umea, Sweden), Edrisa Lubega (Paide Linnameeskond, Estonia), Emmanuel Okwi (Ittihad, Egypt), Uche Mubiru Ikpeazu (Wycombe Wanderers, England), Fahad Bayo (Ashdod, Israel)

Mugabi out
The only bad news as McKinstry announced his squad was the marked absence of Motherwell defender Bevis Mugabi. Mugabi faces up to six weeks on the sidelines after suffering a dislocated shoulder in training at his Scottish club.
“It is a blow to lose Bevis,” his club manager Stephen Robinson said. “He has played his way into the team and acquitted himself very well.”
Cranes coaching staff silently hope he can make it in time but they are not taking chances. They have now called in defender Ronald Mukiibi of Swedish club Ostersunds.
Elsewhere, in addition to the list of foreign based players, a further selection of the domestic league stars will be added to the final squad after assessment of their fitness.