The new Uganda Cranes coach, Johnathan McKinstry has named his final squad that will be playing for the national team at the 2019 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup.
Uganda will host this year’s tournament that kicks off today until 19 December. On Friday, the Northern Irishman named a 20-man squad that will see the country fight for the 15th CECAFA title.
“The decision of selecting the 20 players was a difficult one. We have had 26 players in the previous but we had to choose the best 20,” McKinstry said.
The Irishman said despite the availability of so much talent, they had to choose only 20 players.
“The six players who missed out are just unfortunate,” he added.
Uganda will open their campaign against Burundi today at the StarTimes stadium in Lugogo and the Irishman says he is ready for the challenge ahead.
“We know they will want to prove to be tough opponents after being wounded in the CHAN qualifiers and might want to stop the record against us but our players are ready for them,”McKinstry said.
Uganda’s final CECAFA squad
Goalkeepers; Charles Lukwago (KCCCA FC) and Joel Mutakubwa (Kyetume FC)
Defenders: Paul Willa (Vipers SC), Mustafa Kizza (KCCA FC), John Revita (KCCA FC), Musitafa Mujuzi (Proline FC), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers SC) (Capt), Paul Mbowa (URA FC).
Midfielders: Shafiq Kagimu (URA FC), Karim Watambala (Vipers SC), Nicolas Kasozi (KCCA FC), Bright Anukani (Proline FC), Muzamiru Mutyaba (KCCA FC)
Forwards; Allan Okello (KCCA FC), Viane Sekajugo (Wakiso Giants), Joachim Ojera (URA FC), Ben Ocen (Police FC), Joel Madondo (Busoga United), Fahad Bayo (Vipers SC), Steven Mukwala (Maroons FC)
CECAFA 2019 groups
GROUP A: Uganda, Burundi Eritrea, Somalia, Djibouti.
GROUP B: Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, Zanzibar.
The games will be live on Azam TV.