Chan action auditions start with Gabon test

Kampala. Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic has marked out progression from the group as Uganda’s first target when Chan 2016 kicks off in Rwanda on January 16.

Not that he has an alternative after the Cranes failed to make it out of the group in their previous two appearances at the tournament exclusive to national team players that play their football domestically!
His players are also aware of the task, and are up for it. “We narrowly failed to qualify to the quarter finals in South Africa (2014) but we are now committed to get past the group stages, we are not participants but competitors this time,” Cranes left fullback Isaac Muleme told the Fufa website.

Mission to accomplish
“We are not tourists to Rwanda,” supplemented KCCA new captain, Denis Okot, “We have gone for a mission (that) we need to accomplish.”
Such is the spirit Micho will be pleased with. But now the players have to put their words into action, first by assuring their coach they are ready for the task against Mali, Zimbabwe and Zambia – Uganda’s group-mates in Rwanda – with an assured display against Gabon at Njeru Technical Centre this evening.
The warm-up match against Gabon, which will be played behind closed doors according to Fufa, is the first before the Cranes also face Cameroon this Wednesday in the final clean-up game before the team travel to Rubavu, Rwanda at the weekend.

Gabon are already in the country and are accommodated at Si-Sand Suites in Jinja town, according to the Fufa website.
Micho has already reduced his squad to 23 players but while a good number are almost automatic starters, these two friendlies will be great auditions for most to force Micho’s hand before Uganda open their campaign against Mali on January 19.

The 23 in camp at njeru
Goalkeepers: James Alitho (Vipers), Mathias Kigonya (Bright Stars), Ismail Watenga (Vipers)
Defenders: Denis Okot (KCCA), Kasagga Richard (URA FC), Nsubuga Joseph (Bright Stars), Isaac Muleme (SC Villa), Hassan Wasswa ‘Dazo’ (KCCA), Timothy Awany (KCCA), Ochaya Joseph (KCCA), Muwanga Bernard (Bright Stars)
Midfielders: Ntege Ivan (KCCA FC), Ambrose Kirya (SC Villa Jogoo), Keziron Kizito (Vipers), Mutyaba Muzamir (KCCA), Farouk Miya (Vipers), Martin Kiiza (SC Villa)
Strikers: Robert Ssentongo (URA), Geoffrey Sserunkuma (Lweza), Frank Kalanda (URA), Caesar Okhuti (KCCA), Francis Olaki (Soana), Erisa Ssekisambu (Vipers)

BUILD UP MATCH

Today
Uganda vs. Gabon 3pm

match officials
Alex Muhabi (Match Referee), Mark Ssonko (1st Assistant Referee), Okello Lee (2nd Assistant Referee), Dennis Batte (Reserve Referee), Catherine Adipo (Match Commissioner/ Assessor)

NEXT FRIENDLY MATCH

Wednesday
Uganda vs. Cameroon 3pm

OPENING CHAN MATCH

January 19th
Uganda vs. Mali

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