Uganda Cranes coach Johnny McKinstry names 25 players for AFCON 2021 qualifier
New Uganda Cranes head coach Johnny McKinstry has named a 25 man squad for their upcoming African Nations Cup Qualifiers (AFCON 2021).
In a squad hugely dominated by foreign-based with only five StarTimes Uganda Premier League players, the Irishman implied that his selection was based on form.
“We looked at many issues before determining who to summon. The current form and availability of a gap for them (local-based players) before choosing who to summon,” McKinstry said.
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“They(locally based players) still have opportunities in the future but we had to choose players we thought are ready,” McKinstry added.
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The Cranes 25 man squad included; Dennis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Robert Odongkara (Horoya AC, Guinea), Charles Lukwago (KCCA, Uganda) as the selected goalkeepers.
In defence, Ronald Mukiibi (Ostersunds FK, Sweden), Nico Wakiro Wadada (Azam, Tanzania), Bevis Mugabi (Motherwell, Scotland), Murushid Jjuuko (Wydad Casablanca, Morocco), Timothy Denis Awany (Sport Club Ironi Ashdod, Israesaml), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers, Uganda), Isaac Muleme (Viktoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), and Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, Democratic Republic of Congo) were summoned.
Meanwhile, Michael Azira (Chicago Fire, USA), Khalid Aucho (Misr Lel Makasa, Egypt), Tadeo Lwanga (Tanta, Egypt), Nicholas Kasozi (KCCA, Uganda), Allan Okello (KCCA, Uganda), Allan Kyambadde (El Gouna, Egypt) were summoned in midfield.
While Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Ittihad Alexandria, Egypt), Patrick Henry Kaddu (RS Berkane, Morocco), Alexis Bbakka (Carlstad United BK, Sweden), Fahad Bayo (Vipers, Uganda), Farouk Miya (Konyaspor, Turkey), Abdu Lumala (Pyramids, Egypt), William Kizito Luwagga (Shakhter Karaganda, Kazahstan) are the strikers selected in the 25 man squad.
Only five players in Charles Lukwago (KCCA FC), Halid Lwaliwa, Fahad Bayo (both Vipers) Allan Okello and Nicholas Kasozi(both KCCA FC) were selected from the local league however McKinstry suggested that they will later get their coach as he studies their game more.
“Even when you look at Gareth Southgate who took over from Sam Allardyce and the Belgium coach when they took over the teams, there were not so many new names in the squad,
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“You can only use good players who have been around and performing. The best players of a country can’t change overnight,” adding that they will report for training together only two days before the game because a number of them will have games in their respective leagues.
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Meanwhile, the technical team in addition to Jonathan McKinstry includes; Abdallah Mubiru as the 1st Assistant Coach, Livingstone Mbabazi as the 2nd Assistant Coach, Alexander McCarthy as the fitness coach and Fred Kajoba as the goalkeeping coach.
Ayub Balyejusa as the equipment manager and Geoffrey Massa as the Team Coordinator.
By John Dalton Kigozi
