International Friendly
Uganda vs Sao Tome and Principe
Mandela National Stadium, Namboole
Saturday, 04:00pm
Ahead of the international friendly game between Uganda and Sao Tome which will be played today at Namboole, Cranes coach Sebastian Desabre has emphasized that he expects a good show from the team.
The Cranes will take on Sao Tome in an official friendly, the first since drawing 0-0 away to West African giants Senegal in June last year.
“Our goal is to win the game so that it boosts our confidence going into the competitive fixtures that lay ahead, said Desabre on Friday evening, adding:
“We need to put all out training at work in a game situation and we see how we can make things happen. We have been working on how best we can create chances and try to score as many as we can and also put on a good show for the fans.”
“This game will also serve as a chances for me to see the players that i have not seen before in action,” he said.
Desabre, who has been the Cranes Coach for just under three months now, was in charge of the team at the just-concluded CHAN tournament in Morocco and due to the fact that only home based players took part in it, it was not surprising to see the Frenchman summon a side dominated by professionals.
Desabre replaced interim coach Moses Basena in late December after a below- performance at the CECAFA 2017 championships in Kenya, where the Cranes finished third.
Having failed to qualify for the World Cup in Russia come June, Uganda is expected to have a host of friendlies as they prepare for the upcoming competitive fixtures.
The next competitive game for the Cranes will see them hosting Tanzania in an AFCON qualifier in September.
Uganda is leading that particular AFCON qualification group after winning 1-0 against Cape Verde Islands last year.
After the Tanzanian game, Uganda will play a double header against Lesotho on October.
Uganda will play Malawi on Tuesday at the same venue and time in another official friendly.
Probable Line up against Sao Tome:
- Denis Onyango(c).
- Denis Guma
- Godfrey Walusimbi
- Murushid Jjuuko
- Bavis Mugabi
- Hassan Wasswa
- Gofrey Kizito
- Tadeo Lwanga
- Emmanuel Okwi
- Kizito Luwaga
- Milton Karisa.
