Micho names final squad, four strikers for Niger game

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Four strikers have been named in Uganda Cranes’ final squad for the AFCON qualifiers game against Niger.

Uganda Cranes Coach Milutin Micho Sredojević named the squad hours before the team sets off for their do-or-die encounter that will be hosted at the Grand Stade Marrakech in Morocco.

The strikers are Fahad Bayo, Frank Ssebuufu, Rogers Mato, and Richard Basangwa.

The Cranes also boast a quartet of attacking midfielders including Milton Karisa, Laban Tibita, Faruku Miya, Ibrahim Kasule, and Moses Waiswa, but, Micho faces the challenging task of selecting either three or two from this pool to bolster the offensive line.

Meanwhile, the midfield engine room will be anchored by a trio of defensive midfielders, led by assistant captain Khalid Aucho, Bobosi Byaruhanga, and Tadeo Lwanga.

Defenders on the team include Kenneth Semakula, Elvis Bwomono, Abdu Aziizi Kayondo, Isaac Muleme, Halidi Lwaliwa, Bevis Mugabi, Musa Ramathan, Joseph Ochaya while goalkeepers include Isima Watenga, Salim Omar Magoola, and Nafian Alionzi.

Last week it was announced that key striker Emma Okiwi will miss the match due to injury.

The team will departs today for Marrakech and Micho says they will have at least three training sessions before playing the crucial game against Niger on Thursday.

Speaking about the squad, Micho expressed confidence in the locally-based players’ preparedness, following their comprehensive training and two friendly matches in Uganda.

The forthcoming training sessions in Marrakech will serve as the litmus test for the foreign-based players who haven’t participated in the local training regimen.

Uganda Cranes faces Niger who have nothing to lose since even a win cannot take them to AFCON. The burden of qualification, therefore, rests solely on the Cranes.

The Cranes are currently occupying the third position in the standings with four points, they face stiff competition from Tanzania, who hold the second qualifying position with seven points.

With only one game left in the ongoing AFCON qualification campaign, Uganda will have to defeat Niger with a slightly more substantial goal margin as they also hope that Algeria defeats Tanzania by an even larger goal margin.

.@UgandaCranes travelling squad to Morocco for the AFCON 2023 Qualifier match against Niger.#AFCON2023Q #UgCranesWeGo pic.twitter.com/ZkPMrl53ff

— FUFA (@OfficialFUFA) September 2, 2023

Group F Standings

Algeria – 15 points (Qualified)

Tanzania – 7 points

Uganda – 4 points

Niger – 2 points (eliminated)

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