Whereas most national teams will welcome their players from abroad earliest after this weekend, Uganda already has six names in camp.
The foreign-based sextet is already working with new Cranes’ coach Johnny McKinstry ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Qualifiers.
Cranes’ vice-captain Hassan Wasswa, who plies his trade for Saudi Arabian club Jeddah, has been in the country for a while since burying captain Denis Onyango’s father a fortnight ago.
It is also understood goal keeper Robert Odongkara did not make way back to Guinea with his club AC Horoya after eliminating Kenya’s Bandari in Nairobi during the Caf Confederation Cup play-offs last weekend.
Now the Egyptian-based quartet of Allan Kyambadde from El Gouna, Tadeo Lwanga of Tanta, Emmanuel Okwi from Al-Ittihad Alexandria and Khalid Aucho of El Makkasa all reported this week.
McKinstry summoned 20 foreign-based players of the 25-man squad that will face Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou on November 13 before hosting Malawi four days later in Namboole in Group B.
The Cranes are eyeing qualification to Afcon for the third time in a row, also with a different coach at each success.
The bigger batch of home-based players is set to play in a regional Cranes’ tour match this weekend in Katakwi ahead of the Chan finals due April in Cameroon.
UGANDA CRANES’ CAMP
Goalkeepers: Charles Lukwago (KCCA FC) and James Alitho (URA FC)
Others: Paul Willa (Vipers SC), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers SC), John Revita (KCCA FC), Paul Mbowa (URA FC), Nicolas Kasozi (KCCA FC), Shafiq Kagimu (URA FC), Muzamiru Mutyaba (KCCA FC), Allan Okello (KCCA FC), Bright Anukani (Proline FC), Joachim Ojera (URA FC), Allan Kayiwa (Vipers SC), Joel Madondo (Busoga United), Fahad Bayo (Vipers SC) Ashraf Mandela (URA FC)
Foreign based players: Robert Odongkara, Tadeo Lwanga, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda, Aucho Khalid, Allan Kyambadde and Emmanuel Okwi
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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