Cranes push for fifth successive Chan ticket

Uganda Cranes may still have a vacant role for a permanent coach but the side is focused on qualifying for the African Nations Championships (Chan) for the fourth straight time.
 
Cranes featured in the 2014 edition in South Africa, Rwanda 2016 and in Morocco last year.
 
Now, with interim coach Abdallah Mubiru, Uganda meets Burundi in the first leg of the last round of qualifiers in Bujumbura on Saturday in the road to next year’s edition set to be held in Cameroon.
 
The Cranes eliminated Somalia 7-2 on aggregate in the preliminary round whereas Burundi went past South Sudan 4-1 on aggregate.
 
Four of Cranes’ goals were scored by Patrick Kaddu who is now ineligible to play as he made a move from KCCA to Morocco’s RS Berkane.
 
Now Mubiru will look red-hot striker Fahad Bayo who has since scored five times and an assist in as many games for Vipers in the Uganda Premier League.
   
Fahad could partner with clubmate Daniel Sserunkuma at front with support from Allan Okello and Bright Anukani from the middle.
 
Burundi has not qualified for the Chan finals since the 2014 edition where they picked four points but did not advance from the group that had Gabon and DR Congo.
 
The two teams will face-off again on October 18 at the StarTimes Stadium in Lugogo.
 

Uganda Cranes’ Squad

 
Goalkeepers: James Alitho (URA), Charles Lukwago (KCCA FC)
 
Defenders: Paul Willa (Vipers SC), Mustafa Mujuzi (Proline FC), Kizza Mustafa (KCCA FC), John Revita (KCCA FC), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers SC), Paul Patrick Mbowa (URA FC)
 
Midfielders: Yusuf Ssozi (Police FC), Nicholas Kasozi (KCCA FC), Mutyaba Muzamir (KCCA FC), Vianney Sekajugo (Wakiso Giants FC), Mike Mutyaba (KCCA FC), Shafiq Kagimu (URA FC), Allan Okello (KCCA FC), Bright Anukani (Proline FC)
 
Strikers: Fahad Bayo (Vipers SC), Dan Muzeyi Sserunkuma (Vipers SC)
 
This writer is a global broadcaster and as well scribe with Daily Monitor Newspaper and sports presenter with Radio One FM 90 in Kampala. Follow him on Twitter: @AllanDarren and his Facebook Page: Darren Allan Kyeyune