The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
● Oct 7
Rwanda 🇷🇼 vs Uganda 🇺🇬 – Kigali
● Oct 10
Uganda 🇺🇬 vs Rwanda 🇷🇼 – St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende
✳ Group E
Mali 4 pts
Kenya 2 pts
Uganda 2 pts
Rwanda 1 pt
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojević has today morning excluded current team captain Emmanuel Arnold Okwi in a provisional squad of 32 players to face Rwanda Amavubi Stars in the up-coming FIFA Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Emmanuel Okwi is the current team captain of the National Senior team after succeeding former skipper Denis Onyango. The striker was part of Uganda Cranes in the first two games Uganda played against Mali and Kenya respectively. However, according to reports, he suffered an injury and his fitness is in doubt.
The provisional squad is majorly dominated by local based players who contribute 23 on the team with only nine foreign based players summoned to face Amavubi stars. In the squad, Israel-based duo Timothy Denis Awany and Striker Fahad Bayo have made a comeback on the team after missing the two opening games.
Among the foreign based players named, only custodian Charles Lukwago is in the country already, other players are expected to start reporting to camp on Sunday, 3rd October 2021 in preparation for both matches. Before the team’s departure to Rwanda, the number will be trimmed further to make a final squad.
The team yesterday played a first build up game against premier league outfit, 12-man KCCA FC and managed to win with goals by Milton Karisa and defender Denis Iguma helping the Cranes side to triumph despite conceding one from Charles Lwanga.
After the practice match, the Serbian tactician made it clear that they had opted to play two international friendly games before they play Rwanda however they failed that is why they chose to play KCCA FC which he says is the most resilient team in the league.
During the game, KCCA FC was given an extra player to make a lineup of twelve against an eleven Uganda Cranes squad. Micho said this made his side to play under limited spaces which helped them to make quick decisions.
Uganda Cranes will play their first tie against Rwanda on 7th in Kigali before they play a return leg on 10th October at St. Mary’s stadium in Kitende.
The Cranes is currently third in group E with two points after playing two goalless draws against Kenya and Mali. Opponents Rwanda are the last in the group with 1 point after drawing against Kenya and falling to Mali.
Uganda will however have to solve the goal drought barrier if they are to overcome a resilient side in Rwanda. In the last four competitive games, Uganda Cranes has failed to score a single goal.
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