Uganda is in some unfamiliar zone as the senior national football team heads into the final leg of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Qualifiers.
Contrary to previous group stage Afcon qualifications, the Cranes are already through to the tournament finals set to be held in Egypt from June 21 - July 19.
It means their last Group L fixture away against Tanzania on March 24 will serve as a dead rubber.
Now devoid of pressure, coach Sebastien Desabre has gone ahead to make surprise inclusions and omissions in the 46-man summoned for the Taifa Stars’ job later this month.
On those grounds, 15 foreign-based players were called upon this week with Borussia Dortmund reserve team player Herbert Bockhorn attracting most attention.
The defender was born to a Ugandan mother and German father in Kampala back on January 31, 1995.
He joins the list of a calibre of players who have been summoned before in similar circumstances such as Moses Opondo, Ronald Mukiibi, Bevis Mugabi, Melvyn Lorezen and Martin Mutumba.
Ethiopia-based Robert Odongkara and Moroccan-based Muhammad Shaban have been recalled while midfielders Mike Azira and Tonny Mawejje continue to remain on the side-lines. Mawejje’s teammate Yunus Ssentamu at KF Tirana in Albania has not been called up.
Denis Iguma suffered an injury recently and has since been replaced by Kirizestom Ntambi of Ethiopian side Coffee FC ahead of the Cranes’ camp from March 17-22 in Cairo, Egypt.
It is from here that the team will head to Tanzania for the final Group L tie that the hosts must win.
The foreign-based players will mingle with local-based players selected from a pool of 31. On this long list, Mbarara City’s Paul Mucureezi who has struck seven goals and 12 assists, is the notable omission.
Cranes top the pool with 13 points from five outings while Tanzania and Lesotho are on five. Bottom side Cape Verde, who host the
Crocodiles from Maseru, have four points.
UGANDA CRANES SQUAD
Foreign based players Summoned for camp in Cairo, Egypt: Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Jamal Salim (Al Hilal Omdruman, Sudan), Robert Odongkara (Adama City FC, Ethiopia), Murushid Juuko (Simba, Tanzania), Denis Iguma (Kazma, Kuwait), Nicolas Wadada (Azam FC, Tanzania), Herbert Bockhorn (Borussia Dortmund), Germany), Moses Opondo (VendsysselFF, Denmark), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Khalid Aucho (Church Hill Brothers, India), Faruku Miya (Gorica, Croatia), Edris Lubega (SV Reid, Austria), Emma Okwi (Simba-Tanzania), Karisa Milton (MC Oujda, Morocco), Muhammad Shaban (Raja Casablanca, Morocco)
Local based players: Nicholas Sebwato (Onduparaka Fc), Saidi Keni (Sc Villa), James Alitho (URA FC), Charles Lukwago (KCCA FC), Obenchan Filbert (KCCA FC), Paul Willa (Police FC), Samson Mutyaba (Maroons FC), Kizza Mustafa (KCCA FC), Brian Majwega (Maroons FC), Godfrey Walusimbi (Unattached), Timothy Awanyi (KCCA FC), Paul Baker Mbowa (URA FC), Musitafa Mujuzi (Proline FC), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers SC), Rashid Toha (Onduparaka FC), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Unattached), Sadam Juma (KCCA FC), Ivan Eyam (Mbarara City FC), Taddeo Lwanga (Vipers SC), Allan Okello (KCCA FC), Moses Waiswa (Vipers SC), Bright Anukani (Proline FC), David Owori (Sc Villa), Allan Kyambadde (KCCA FC), Micheal Birungi (Express FC), Julius Poloto (KCCA C), Juma Balinya (Police FC), Daniel Serunkuma (Vipers SC), Henry Kaddu (KCCA FC), Joel Madondo (K-Jinja SS), Bashir Mutanda (SC Villa)
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
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