Preview: Uganda Cranes target early advantage over Lesotho "Crocodiles" - FUFA: Federation of Uganda Football Associations

Posted on October 12, 2018 - 9:27 pm by Ahmed Marsha

Total Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2019 Qualifiers:

Uganda Cranes Vs Lesotho

Saturday, 13th October 2018

Time: 4 PM at Mandela National Stadium

Charges: 15,000/- (Ordinary Tickets), 40,000/= (VIP), 150,000/= (VVIP)

The players and members of the technical team in ball work drills during the last training session

The stage is set at the historic Mandela National Stadium as the mighty Uganda Cranes host Lesotho national football team, popularly known as Likuena (The Crocodiles) this Saturday.

Uganda Cranes will proudly don the newly designed jersey, manufactured by kits company Mafro for the first time.

This is the first leg of 2019 Total African Cup of Nations (AFCON) group L qualifier for the double header whose return leg will take place in Maseru on Tuesday, 16th October 2018.

Owing to the level of preparations since the Uganda Cranes kicked off their preparations with their non residential preparations for the home based players last week, the writing has been well scripted on the wall, the home team is ready.

The Uganda Cranes players trained under runny conditions on Tuesday

Individual players led by the captain Denis Onyango have doubled their efforts in training sessions with sheer determination and commitment as they all eye maximum points.

“We are determined to give our best for the game. We need maximum points out of this game this Saturday. Lesotho is not a small team like many people think. Therefore, we have to work hard and collectively as a team” Onyango disclosed to the media in the pre-match press conference held at Namboole on Friday morning.

The head coach Sebastien Desabre and the rest of his technical team have done a tremendous task to assemble a formidable team and prepare the players mentally and physically.

Desabre says the team is prepared 200 percent for the double header starting with the first leg at Namboole.

“We have spoken to the players, trained well and they are prepared physically and mentally. The players know the importance of this match. We shall work hard to get the home win which will be a stepping stone to the return leg on Tuesday” Desabre told the media at the pre-match press conference.

Sebastien Desabre addressing the media during a pre match press conference

Meanwhile, Lesotho players trained at Namboole Stadium on Friday evening for two hours.

Apart from Murushid Jjuuko, all the 23 other players in the camp at the Kabira Country Club in Bukoto will be available for selection.

Jjuuko is suspended after getting two cautions but will be available for the return leg when the team travels.

Uganda Cranes maintain their grip at the summit of group L with four points off two matches.

Tanzania and Lesotho have four points while Cape Verde has one point.

UGANDA CRANES PLAYERS AVAILABLE FOR SELECTION:

Goalkeepers: Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundown, South Africa), Jamal Salim (El Meriekh, Sudan), Charles Lukwago (KCCA FC, Uganda)

Defenders: Isaac Isinde (Kirinya Jinja SS, Uganda), Timothy Denis Awanyi (KCCA FC, Uganda), Denis Iguma (Kazma FC, Kuwait), Nico Wakiro Wadada (Azam FC, Tanzania), Godfrey Walusimbi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa) FC, Isaac Muleme (Haras El Hodood, Egypt), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Hassan Wasswa (El Geish, Egypt)

Midfielders: Khalid Aucho (Church Hill Brothers, India), Ibrahim Sadam Juma (KCCA FC, Uganda), Tadeo Lwanga (Vipers SC, Uganda), Allan Kateregga (Cape Town City, South Africa), Faruku Miya (Gorica, Croatia ), Moses Waisswa (Vipers Sc, Uganda), Milton Karisa (MC Oujda, Morocco), Allan Kyambadde (KCCA, Uganda)

Forwards: Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Simba, Tanzania), Edrisa Lubega (SV Ried, Austria), Derrick Nsibambi (Smouha, Egypt), Patrick Kaddu (KCCA FC, Uganda)

Match Officials:

Center Referee: Amin Mohamed Omar (Egypt)

1st Assistant Referee: Samir Gamal Saad (Egypt

2nd Assistant Referee: Mahmoud El Regal (Egypt)