International Build-up game
Uganda vs Ivory Coast
Sheikh Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Saturday, 15-06-2019 @3:30pm
ABU DHABI – The Uganda Cranes will take on Ivory Coast at the Sheikh Zayed Sports City Stadium on Saturday in their second international build-up game.
Last weekend, the Cranes drew 0-0 with Turkmenistan in their first game ahead of AFCON 2019.
After the draw, head coach Sebastien Desabre announced his 23 man squad that will be competing in Egypt later this month. Four players were dropped from the team including Saddam Juma, Alexis Bbaka, and Charles Lukwago.
To complete the initial 28 man squad, Moses Waiswa suffered a knee injury that ruled him out of the finals’ tournament and was also dropped from the squad.
Ahead of the clash with Ivory Coast, attacking midfielder, Allan Kateregga says the team is very much eager to continue with preparations and that the game is one that they will use to challenge themselves.
‘It is a high ranking game, noted the Maritzburg United play maker.
“We are looking forward to the friendly match on Saturday.
“We want to challenge ourselves with the best.
“I feel happy and fine in camp with the entire team.
“We should be ready to hit the ground running.
Kateregga is part of the 23 that stayed in Camp as they continue their preparations for the AFCON finals.
He was overlooked in the last games of qualification but his form at Maritzburg, convinced the technical team to think otherwise.
Kateregga and the other 22 still in camp may be assured of a place in Egypt but the former KCCA midfielder believes competition for places is still on.
“We must keep competing for places because every player needs to fight for action.
“The spirit in camp is very good. Our AFCON starts with this game against Ivory Coast and it will be a good challenge to us.
“The coach keeps pushing us to our best levels and we shall deliver to his expectations.
For Ivory Coast, they are also preparing for the upcoming AFCON where they are grouped alongside Morocco, South Africa and Namibia in Group D.
They have already played two build up games in which they defeated Liberia 1-0 and Comoros 3-1.
Uganda and Ivory Coast last faced off in the CHAN 2018 Group stages last year, drawing 0-0.
Their last friendly dates back to January 2017, one that Ivory Coast won 3-0.
The 23 man Cranes Squad for AFCON 2019
Goalkeepers
Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Jamal Salim (Al Hilal-Sudan), Robert Odongkara (Adama City, Ethiopia)
Defenders
Nico Wakiro Wadada (Azam, Tanzania), Brian Ronald Ddungu Mukiibi (Ostersunds, Sweden), Murushid Jjuuko (Simba, Tanzania), Bevis Mugabi (Yeovil Town, England), Isaac Muleme (FK Viktoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Un attached), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Timothy Denis Awanyi (KCCA FC, Uganda), Godfrey Walusimbi (Un-attached)
Midfielders
Mike Azira (Montreal Impact, Canada), Allan Kateregga (Maritzburg, South Africa), William Kizito Luwagga (Shakhter Karagandy, Kazakhstan), Khalid Aucho (Church Hill Brothers, India), Faruku Miya (HNK Gorica, Croatia), Abdul Lumala (Syrianska, Sweden), Tadeo Lwanga (Vipers SC-Uganda)
Strikers
Patrick Henry Kaddu (KCCA FC, Uganda), Derrick Nsibambi (Smouha, Egypt), Allan Kyambadde (KCCA FC Uganda), Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Simba, Tanzania)
