Hard Test: Uganda Cranes Face the North Strong opposition Like never before at the Regional Tours

Cranes Regional Tours 2021

Thursday, 4th November 2021

Boma Playground, Kitgum

4 PM

By Daniels N. Tatya

Assembled by the Northern Region select Head Coach, David Achira, the team will give such a strong opposition to the Uganda Cranes side that has mainly the home-based players as part of the early preparations for the two remaining matches against Kenya and Mali.

Uganda Cranes will engage East African community neighbors Kenya at St Mary’s Stadium on 11th November 2021 before they travel away to Mali on 14th November 2021.

The Kitgum tour is thought to partly prepare the Uganda Cranes for the final bend of the group E of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Coach David Achira on advice of the FUFA, assembled his strong 22-man squad hopefully to test and approve of the Cranes players at the Boma playground Kitgum on Thursday, 4th November 2021 before their World Cup final encounters.

The team has a combination of the youthful and experienced players with former Maroons’ center forward Isaac Otto, experienced Ndejje University goalkeeper Jean Diego Wokorach, Mbale Heroes’ Gody Otika, Billy Clinton Ocira (Credo), Calvalry, trio of Ronald Owiny Ogenga, Rogers Atube and Ivan Ocheng, among others.

The Cranes delegation on Wednesday morning left for Kitgum town ahead of the tour aware of the opposition they are destined to face. Head coach Milutin Sredojevic alongside members of his technical staff, FUFA referees’ manager Samuel Egesa left Cranes Paradise Hotel, Kisaasi aboard the team bus.

The 23-man squad has locally based players in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League with three goalkeepers, seven defenders, eight midfielders and five forwards. Uganda Cranes last month played the Eastern region select team at the Mbale Municipal Stadium and won 1-0 courtesy of Joackiam Ojera’s goal.

The Teams

Northern Region Select Team:

Francis Onekalit Taina (Ndejje University), Ivan Ocheng (Calvary), Gody Otika (Mbale Heroes), Mathias Anthony Okello (Young Elephants), Jean Diego Wokorach (Ndejje University), Abel Odong (Mbale Garage), Brian Odong (Young Elephants), Kermis Amuku (Credo), Brian Pogba Obedi (Ndejje University), Emmanuel Gary Mwaka (Santos FC, Kitgum), Peter Ouma (Ndejje University), Chrispus Agang (Obasanjo FC), Francis Nyeko Oboma (Santos FC), Erick Ayella (Credo), Rogers Atube (Calvary), Ronald Owiny Ogenga (Calvary), Billy Clinton Ocira (Credo), Innocent Okectwengo (Ilee), Isaac Otto (Unattached), Robert Obaloker (Pager), Gerrald Ochola (Rwotker), Stephen Okot (Credo)

Officials:

Head coach: David Achira

Assistant coach: Jimmy Odongkara

Uganda Cranes team:

Goalkeepers:

Joel Mutakubwa (Express), Jack Komakech (Vipers)

Defenders:

Ashraf Mandela (URA), Paul Willa (Vipers), Abdul-Aziz Kayondo (Vipers), Denis Iguma (KCCA), Livingstone Mulondo (Vipers), John Revita (KCCA), Geofrey Wasswa (KCCA)

Midfielders:

Shafik Kuchi Kagimu (URA), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Vipers), Mahad Kakooza (Express), Bright Anukani (Vipers), Julius Poloto (KCCA), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers), Milton Karisa (Vipers), Rogers Mato (KCCA)

Forwards:

Davis Kasirye (KCCA), Sadat Anaku (KCCA), Steven Mukwala (URA), Samuel Kayongo Ssekamatte (Arua Hill), Martin Kizza (Express)