The English based trio of Uche Ikpeazu, Elvis Bwomono and Jayden Onen were expected to make their debuts after being summoned by Cranes coach Jonathan Mckinstry as Uganda prepared to face off with South Sudan in home and away Afcon qualifier fixtures back in March.
The start of the Covid 19 pandemic changed all that as the qualifiers and all major sporting activities were halted for the next seven months.
Inevitably, there have been several changes as sporting action returns globally, with the Cranes situation no exception.
Mckinstry's latest Cranes squad ahead of the postponed fixture against South Sudan saw him stick with Ikpeazu and Bwomono while Onen who took part in the team's recent training camp was dropped.
Ikpeazu has struggled for playing time because of injury and form since moving to championship side Wycombe Wanderers from Hearts of Midlothian in Scotland, playing only 27 minutes after six games.
Bwomono meanwhile turns out for fourth tier side South End in England and is expected to push Nicholas Wadada for a starting role as the team's right back.
The pair are part of a 20-man squad of foreign based players announced by Mckinstry on Wednesday morning.
They include forward Derick Nsibambi who is among a number of Egypt based players with others being Allan Kyambadde and Emmanuel Okwi and Khalid Aucho.
Mckinstry is expected to add at least five domestic league players to the squad with Vipers defender Halid Lwalirwa, URA captain Shafik Kagimu and KCCA playmaker Bright Anukani among those who appear with a chance of making the cut.
Confirmed foreign-based squad of 20 Cranes players
Goalkeepers: Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Salim Jamal Magoola (Al Hilal Omdurman, Sudan)
Defenders: Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Alex Kakuba (Desportivo, Portugal), Elvis Bwomono (Southend, United, England), Nicholas Wadada (Azam, Tanzania), Timothy Awany (Ashdod, Israel), Ronald Mukiibi (Ostersunds FK, Sweden)
Midfielders: Farouk Miya (Konyaspor, Turkey), Allan Kyambadde (El Gouna, Egypt), Khalid Aucho (El Makasa, Egypt), Kizito Luwagga (Hapoel Kfar Saba, Israel), Mike Azira (Chicago Fire, Canada - USA), Allan Okello (Paradou, Algeria)
Forwards: Derrick Nsibambi (Smouha), Alexis Bbakka (Umea, Sweden), Edrisa Lubega (Paide Linnameeskond, Estonia), Emmanuel Okwi (Ittihad, Egypt), Uche Mubiru Ikpeazu (Wycombe Wanderers, England), Fahad Bayo (Ashdod, Israel)
Afcon 2022 (finals PP from 2021) qualifying fixture dates
November 11 (initially 14)
Uganda vs South Sudan, 4pm, St Mary's, Kitende
November 16
South Sudan vs Uganda, 7pm, Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi
Match Day 5 and 6 (22nd – 30th March 2021)
Group B Standings
Team P W D L GF GA Pts
Uganda 2 1 1 0 2 0 4
B. Faso 2 1 1 0 2 1 4
Malawi 2 1 0 1 1 2 3
S Sudan 2 0 0 2 1 3 0
*Top two automatically qualify for Afcon
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