Mandela National Stadium, Namboole Kickoff: (4.00PM in Uganda, 3:00PM in Botswana)
Uganda Cranes will be seeking a positive start in the 2017 AFCON qualifiers when they host Botswana’s Zebras in a group D game at Mandela National stadium, Namboole
Portugal based midfielder William Luwagga Kizito finally joined the camp to make it full house.
Cranes Coach Mulitin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has no injury worries ahead of the tie but will have to do with a number of new faces from the previous campaign.
The Serb will do without suspended captain Andrew Mwesigwa, experienced midfield trio of Tonny Mawejje, Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito and Moses Oloya plus strikers Emmanuel Okwi and Hamis Kiiza.
Okwi, Kiiza and Kizito are surprise exclusions having enjoyed good seasons with their respective clubs.
How Cranes are expected to lineup:
A lot of new faces but Denis Onyango will undoubtedly start in goal with Denis Iguma and Godfrey Walusimbi at right and left full back respectively.
The Gor Mahia left back has looked fresh in training and his experienced coupled with Alex Kakuba’s abysmal show in the 1-1 international friendly against Gambia means he starts.
A new partnership at the heart of defence is expected with Isaac Isinde and Richard Kasagga expected to take over from Mwesigwa-Kabugo partnership that played most games in the recent failed campaign.
In midfield, Hassan Wasswa is expected to return to the side after some long time out and alongside Khalid Aucho, they are expected to anchor the midfield.
U-23 skipper and Uganda Premier League Most Valuable Player (MVP) Farouk Miya is also expected to start and so is lead striker Geoffrey Massa.
Brian Majwega wasn’t impressive in the 1-1 draw with Gambia but may start on the left side of midfield with William Luwagga Kizito on the right.
However, the latter’s inclusion in the starting team will depend on how the coach assesses his fitness after a long journey from Portugal on the eve of the game.
Other options in attack are Yunus Sentamu, Robert Ssentongo and Brian Umony.
The duo combined for the only goal the Cranes managed against Gambia in midweek.
Probable XI:
Denis Onyango (GK), Denis Iguma, Godfrey Walusimbi, Richard Kasagga, Isaac Isinde, Hassan Wasswa, Khalid Aucho, William Luwagga Kizito, Farouk Miya, Geoffrey Massa (C) and Brian Majwega.