Uganda Cranes’ coach Johnny McKinstry announced Mali and Zambia will test his side in a three-nation tournament in March as they prepare for the Africa Nations Championship (Chan) finals.
Mali, who are pooled with Uganda in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers as well as Zambia, who boast of former Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic, will be in Kampala for the March 17-20 tournament.
McKinstry maintained a big part of the side that won the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup on home soil last December in the 34-man provisional squad he named for the Chan finals due April 4-25 in Cameroon.
“There is a balance in the team,” said the Northern Irishman. “We have defensive resilience and options in attack.”
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With his options, despite omitting names like KCCA’s midfield pair of Muzamiru Mutyaba and Gift Ali as well as David Bagoole of Busoga United, McKinstry is optimistic his side will beat the hoodoo make it out of the group.
“We can do better than at the previous Chan tournament. We have enough fire power in the squad. We want to do better. The target is first to move beyond group stages then, who knows we shall progress beyond,” he noted.
The Cranes are pitted against reigning champions Morocco, neighbours Rwanda and Togo in Group B.
This will be Uganda’s fifth straight appearance at the Chan finals but they have never made it past the group stage.
2020 AFRICAN NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP (CHAN)
UGANDA CRANES 34-MAN PROVISIONAL TEAM
Goalkeepers: Charles Lukwago, Joel Mutakubwa, Nafian Alionzi, Saidi Keni, Edwin Bbule
Defenders: Mustafa Kizza, Derrick Ndahiiro, Herbert Achai, Paul Willa, Ashraf Mandela, Geofrey Wasswa, Halid Lwaliwa, Paul Mbowa, John Revita, Samuel Kato, Musitafa Mujjuzi
Midfielders: Shafik Kagimu, Saidi Kyeyune, Bright Anukani, Paul Mucureezi, Mike Mutyaba, Abdul Karim Watambala, Hassan Ssenyonjo, David Owori, Ibrahim Orit, Julius Poloto
Forwards: Samson Kigozi, Viani Ssekajugo, Milton Karisa, Joackim Ojera, Fahad Bayo, Steven Mukwala, Crowmwell Rwothomio, Brian Aheebwa
GROUPS
A: Cameroon (Hosts), Mali, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe
B: Libya, DR Congo, Congo, Niger
C: Morocco, Rwanda, Togo, Uganda
D: Zambia, Guinea, Namibia, Tanzania
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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