The President of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), Moses Hassim Magogo has warned the national team ahead of TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2022.
Magogo, also an Exco member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) during a pep talk with the team, asked them to go and fight to win a war. “You are going for war and not a picnic or a mere visit,” said Magogo.
Uganda Cranes who will be making their sixth appearance in the CHAN tournament are placed against DR Congo, Ivory Coast and Senegal in Group B. The CHAN 2022 will take place January 13th to February 4th in Algeria.
Magogo pointed out to the team that although they are representing the country, the CHAN tournament is also another platform for the players to showcase their talent and attract teams from around the world.
“We must be a very organized group of people. Imagine your families, wives and relatives all seeing you doing wonders for this country. Get onto the pitch and be serious, go and fight on the pitch,” added the Federation President.
The head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic said today before the team traveled to camp in Tunisia that the players are ready to give a good account. “Our target this time is to make sure we make it out of the group stage,” added Sredojevic.
The coach who picked his final 25 players said the camping in Tunisia will help the players tune well. “We shall also have three friendly matches which will help the team more,” added the coach.
The Uganda Cranes have featured in the past CHAn tournaments in 2011 (Sudan), 2014 (South Africa), 2016 (Rwanda), 2018 (Morocco) and 2020 in Cameroon.
Uganda’s squad
Goalkeepers: Nafian Alionzi (URA FC), Joel Mutakubwa (Gaddafi FC), Jack Komakech (Vipers SC)
Defenders: Ashiraf Mandela (Vipers SC), James Begisa (URA FC), Derrick Ndahiro (URA FC), Isa Mubiru (Vipers SC), Hillary Mukundane (Vipers SC), Kenneth Ssemakula(SC Villa), Geoffrey Wasswa (KCCA FC), Gift Fred (SC Villa)
Midfielders: Siraje Ssentamu (Vipers SC), Marvin Joseph Youngman (Vipers SC), Abdu Karim Watambala(Vipers SC), Moses Waiswa (KCCA FC)
Forwards: Milton Karisa (Vipers SC), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers SC), Travis Mutyaba (SC Villa), Moses Aliro (Wakiso Giants FC), Rogers Kassim Mato (KCCA FC), Bright Anukani (Vipers SC), Titus Ssematimba (Wakiso Giants), Frank Ssebufu (Wakiso Giants FC), Najib Yiga (Vipers SC), Nelson Ssenkatuka (Soltilo Bright Stars FC)
