Juuko, Mawejje handed lifelines
Comebacks. Previously mainstays Mawejje (C) and Iguma (L) have forced their way into the team thanks to their experience. PHOTO/EDDIE CHICCO
What you need to know:
- Juuko who last played competitive football last November after he fell out with Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca - has since joined Express.
South Sudan in Kampala next month might have come too soon for Murushid Juuko but you can’t rule the Express defender out if he pushed his limits.
Juuko was yesterday named in Cranes coach Johnny McKinstry’s 22-man squad of home based players from which five or six will be added to the main team of 20, who ply their trade abroad. Uganda face their northern neighbours on November 12 in the 2022 Afcon qualifiers at St Mary’s Kitende before the return leg four days later in Nairobi.
Now, the StarTimes Uganda Premier League (SUPL) does not start until November 20. That is shortly after the two Afcon qualifying games against South Sudan. Logic would suggest that you don’t use national teams competitive games to prepare for the league, but rather the reverse, which makes Juuko’s race to return to Cranes fully tough.
But hey, his call-up is not guarantee that he will make the final 25-man squad to face the South Sudanese, but rather a chance at it. “We hope he gets back to regular football. Soon as we know when he is playing regularly, and at his best, he is a big asset for any team,” Cranes coach McKinstry explained earlier Juuko’s absence from the team that camped in Dubai.
Fortunately, Juuko - who last played competitive football last November after he fell out with Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca - has since joined Express.
There is no competitive football for him yet but that he is now training, and given his seniority, he has an opportunity to practice with the Cranes and who knows!
New start
The other man summoned is distinguished Police and Cranes midfielder Tony Mawejje.
Mawejje joined Police ahead of the 2020/21 season after calling time of his foreign journey. He has been out of the Cranes-fold since Gabon Afcon 2017 . “The camp will help the local based players to push their levels higher and hopefully get some minutes on the field against South Sudan,” encouraged McKinstry. The 22 will undergo rigorous assessment between November 2 and 8th before the final selection is made.
THE LOCAL BASED SIDE
Goalkeepers: Alionzi Nafian (URA FC), Lukwago Charles (KCCA FC), Mutakubwa Joel (Kyetume FC)
Defenders: Ndahiro Derrick (Sc Villa), Galiwango Disan (Vipers SC), Willa Paul (Vipers SC), Mandela Ashraf (URA), Iguma Denis (KCCA FC), Kato Samuel ( (KCCA FC), Juuko Murushid (Express FC), Lwaliwa Halid (Vipers SC), Mbowa Patrick ( URA FC).
Midfielders: Mawejje Tony (Police FC), Kyeyune Saidi (URA FC), Kagimu Shafiq (URA FC), Watambala Kairm (Vipers SC), Owori David ( SC Villa), Anukani Bright (KCCA FC)
Forwards: Oriti Ibrahim (Vipers Sc), Karisa Milton (Vipers SC), Mukwala Stephen (URA FC), Ahebwa Brian (KCCA FC).
