Uganda Cranes’ coach Milutin Micho Sredojevic dropped 12 players on Saturday (December 31) as he named the final 25-man squad for the 2023 African Nations Championship (CHAN) Finals.
Initially, Micho summoned 35 players for a two-week residential camp at the Kisaasi-based Crane Paradise hotel.
The final squad released Saturday night includes goalkeepers Nafian Alionzi (URA FC), Joel Mutakubwa (Gaddafi FC), Jack Komakech (Vipers SC); defenders Ashiraf Mandela (Vipers SC), James Begisa (URA FC), Derrick Ndahiro (URA FC), Isa Mubiru (Vipers SC), Hillary Mukundane (Vipers SC), Kenneth Ssemakula(SC Villa), Geoffrey Wasswa (KCCA FC), Gift Fred (SC Villa);midfielders Siraje Ssentamu (Vipers SC), Marvin Joseph Youngman (Vipers SC), Abdu Karim Watambala(Vipers SC) and Moses Waiswa (KCCA FC).
Others are strikers Milton Karisa (Vipers SC), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers SC), Travis Mutyaba (SC Villa), Moses Aliro (Wakiso Giants FC), Rogers Kassim Mato (KCCA FC), Bright Anukani (Vipers SC), Titus Ssematimba (Wakiso Giants), Frank Ssebufu (Wakiso Giants FC), Najib Yiga (Vipers SC) and Nelson Ssenkatuka(Soltilo Bright Stars FC).
The team jets out of the country on Sunday, January 1, 2023 to camp in Tunisia for the final preparations. While in Tunisia, The Cranes will play three warm-up games. s ahead of the CHAN Finals tournament, which kicks off January 13 in Algeria.
The Cranes are pooled in Group B with Ivory Coast, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their opening game will be against DR Congo on January 14.
Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among offered $100 to each member of the Cranes’ contingent, which includes players and officials. The cash, amounting to $4,000 was delivered to the Cranes camp on December 31 by FUFA president Moses Magogo.
