Cranes head to UAE bootcamp
Successful Return. Vipers midfielder Milton Karisa has earned a recall to the national team and will look to make the most of UAE bootcamp. PHOTO | EDDIE CHICCO
What you need to know:
- Priceless Bonding. Uganda Cranes Captain and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper, Denis Onyango, believes this is the best opportunity for local-based players, who have been out of action, to rack in some miles; as well as general chemistry of the whole team.
As Cranes depart for just over a week’s training camp in Dubai this evening, coach Johnny McKinstry will sigh with relief that at least he got his wish in a unique year that has been littered with uncertainties.
When Uganda last played qualifiers in November last year, picking a point away in Burkina Faso and beating Malawi in Kampala, the Cranes had just about three solid training sessions. They hardly had time together to gel and the coach, who has just signed up on September 30, was yet to know fully what his local and foreign based players had in them.
Now, here is an opportunity for McKinstry, who applauds Fufa and government for ensuring the Dubai trip happens, to find our exactly that. “I think the camp offers huge value of getting to know ourselves better, getting some quality training sessions and the game plan,” the Northern Irishman told Sunday Monitor. “So, taking the team to Dubai for some good days helps us to achieve a lot of things.”
Captain backs coach
The local based players will link up with those that ply their trade overseas, and Uganda captain, Denis Onyango, who will join in from his South African club Mamelodi Sundowns, agrees with his coach.
“Personally,” Onyango told this newspaper, “I think it will be a good camp for the players and the coach, and also it gives the coach some time to implement his philosophy and get to know the players more.
“It’s been a very long time with out him meeting the players. Also for the players, it will be a good camp in terms of getting back on the field as a team, especially some who play at home and haven’t resumed playing or even training in big numbers.”
Early qualification shot
The one-time African Player of the Year and 2016 Caf Champions League winner, Onyango, added: “So for me it’s a good camp before the important game against South Sudan, who are recruiting players to improve their team. “So we should prepare well and be ready for the fight against our neighbors.”
McKinstry, 35, and Fufa are hoping to conjure up some friendly matches with local clubs in Dubai during the team’s stay there. The Cranes (four points) top their qualifying Group B over Burkina Faso on goal difference, with each side having four points from two matches.
Uganda will qualify for their third successive Afcon finals if they win their next two matches against South Sudan.
AFCON 2022 QUALIFYING
FIXTURE DATES
Match Day 3 and 4
(9th – 17th November 2020)
Match Day 5 and 6
(22nd – 30th March 2021)
lUganda play South Sudan back-to-back in November, and Malawi and Burkina Faso next March
GLOCAL CONTINGENT TO UAE
GOALKEEPERS: Charles Lukwago (KCCA), Joel Mutakubwa (Kyetume), Nafian Alionzi (URA)
OUTFIELD PLAYERS: Milton Karisa (Vipers), David Owori (Villa), Bright Anukani (KCCA), Saidi Kyeyune (URA), Paul Mbowa (URA), Samuel Kato (KCCA), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers), Shafiq Kagimu (URA), Karim Watambala (Vipers)
