We bring you the five stars the Cranes’ tactician will bank on when they face Bafana Bafana in a build-up contest on Thursday
Fufa.Who will be key for Cranes?Uganda will face South Africa in a friendly contest on June 10 with head coach Abdallah Mubiru naming a travelling squad of 23 players but who will be key for the Cranes against Bafana Bafana at Orlando Stadium?
KCCA FC.Charles LukwagoWith the exit of veteran goalkeeper and captain Denis Onyango, the KCCA custodian will get the chance to impress the technical bench and cement his place as the national team’s first choice for future assignments.Onyango decided to hang his gloves after 70 caps and with two other keepers – Ismael Watenga, who turns out for Chippa United in South Africa, and Mathias Kigonya of Azam FC in Tanzania also in the team and eager to claim the position – the 26-year-old will have to strive and keep a clean sheet in the away fixture.He has enjoyed a good performance whenever called upon to step in for Onyango before he retired and his form in the Ugandan Premier League for the Kasasiro Boys has also been impressive.
Express FC.Murushid JuukoHis decision to sign for Ugandan giants Express FC after he terminated his contract with Botola Pro side Wydad Casablanca in October 2020, has seen the defender regain his lost form and he is currently one of the key players for coach Wasswa Bbosa’s as they chase for the league and domestic cup titles.The 26-year-old has stepped in well for the Red Eagles, the reason the Cranes coach Abdallah Mubiru did not hesitate to name him in the final 23-man squad for the friendly against Bafana Bafana and he will now have another chance to impress and keep his place in the team.His strong physique at the heart of defence and ability to read the game could be an added advantage for the Cranes as they seek to get an away win.
Fufa.Taddeo LwangaAfter his impressive run with Simba SC of Tanzania which saw the Msimbazi giants reach the quarter-finals of the Caf Champions League, the towering star will get the opportunity to lead the midfield and his decisive moments will be key.The 27-year-old has always impressed when turning out for the national team and he will likely partner Abdu Lumala, and Ibrahim Orit should coach Mubiru decide to build his game plan around the midfield.Lwanga will be determined to inspire the Cranes to a famous away win by tracking back and help the defence plus keeper Lukwago to keep a clean sheet.
Fufa.Abdu LumalaThe influential midfielder is slowly getting back to his old self after overcoming difficulties to break into the starting eleven of Egyptian club Pyramids FC, whom he joined in 2019 from Swedish side Kalmar FF.The 23-year-old, who made his debut on June 9, 2019, in a friendly against Turkmenistan, will have to claim his position at this juncture with several midfielders coming up and also with coach Mubiru keeping faith with some of the U20 team players.Blessed with mesmerising dribbling skills and a wicked left-foot, Lumala could be key to a Cranes win over Bafana Bafana.
Airtel Football.Emmanuel OkwiOkwi will have two roles to play when the Cranes face Bafana Bafana – he will be the captain of the side after taking the armband from retired Denis Onyango and will also be tasked to get the goals.The 28-year-old, who features for Egyptian club Al Ittihad Alexandria Club, has always been impressive when donning the Cranes jersey, and his ability to use his left foot has always come in handy and helped the Cranes win matches either at home or away.With 82 caps already to his name, Okwi will have to lead by example and help the Cranes win the friendly as they build confidence heading into their World Cup qualifying matches against Kenya, Mali, and Rwanda.
Fufa.Who will be key for Cranes?Uganda will face South Africa in a friendly contest on June 10 with head coach Abdallah Mubiru naming a travelling squad of 23 players but who will be key for the Cranes against Bafana Bafana at Orlando Stadium?
KCCA FC.Charles LukwagoWith the exit of veteran goalkeeper and captain Denis Onyango, the KCCA custodian will get the chance to impress the technical bench and cement his place as the national team’s first choice for future assignments.Onyango decided to hang his gloves after 70 caps and with two other keepers – Ismael Watenga, who turns out for Chippa United in South Africa, and Mathias Kigonya of Azam FC in Tanzania also in the team and eager to claim the position – the 26-year-old will have to strive and keep a clean sheet in the away fixture.He has enjoyed a good performance whenever called upon to step in for Onyango before he retired and his form in the Ugandan Premier League for the Kasasiro Boys has also been impressive.
Express FC.Murushid JuukoHis decision to sign for Ugandan giants Express FC after he terminated his contract with Botola Pro side Wydad Casablanca in October 2020, has seen the defender regain his lost form and he is currently one of the key players for coach Wasswa Bbosa’s as they chase for the league and domestic cup titles.The 26-year-old has stepped in well for the Red Eagles, the reason the Cranes coach Abdallah Mubiru did not hesitate to name him in the final 23-man squad for the friendly against Bafana Bafana and he will now have another chance to impress and keep his place in the team.His strong physique at the heart of defence and ability to read the game could be an added advantage for the Cranes as they seek to get an away win.
Fufa.Taddeo LwangaAfter his impressive run with Simba SC of Tanzania which saw the Msimbazi giants reach the quarter-finals of the Caf Champions League, the towering star will get the opportunity to lead the midfield and his decisive moments will be key.The 27-year-old has always impressed when turning out for the national team and he will likely partner Abdu Lumala, and Ibrahim Orit should coach Mubiru decide to build his game plan around the midfield.Lwanga will be determined to inspire the Cranes to a famous away win by tracking back and help the defence plus keeper Lukwago to keep a clean sheet.
Fufa.Abdu LumalaThe influential midfielder is slowly getting back to his old self after overcoming difficulties to break into the starting eleven of Egyptian club Pyramids FC, whom he joined in 2019 from Swedish side Kalmar FF.The 23-year-old, who made his debut on June 9, 2019, in a friendly against Turkmenistan, will have to claim his position at this juncture with several midfielders coming up and also with coach Mubiru keeping faith with some of the U20 team players.Blessed with mesmerising dribbling skills and a wicked left-foot, Lumala could be key to a Cranes win over Bafana Bafana.
Airtel Football.Emmanuel OkwiOkwi will have two roles to play when the Cranes face Bafana Bafana – he will be the captain of the side after taking the armband from retired Denis Onyango and will also be tasked to get the goals.The 28-year-old, who features for Egyptian club Al Ittihad Alexandria Club, has always been impressive when donning the Cranes jersey, and his ability to use his left foot has always come in handy and helped the Cranes win matches either at home or away.With 82 caps already to his name, Okwi will have to lead by example and help the Cranes win the friendly as they build confidence heading into their World Cup qualifying matches against Kenya, Mali, and Rwanda.