CHAN 2020 Qualifiers-2nd Leg)
Uganda Cranes Vs Somalia (Agg: 3-1)
Star Times Stadium, Lugogo
Saturday, 03-08-2019 @4pm
LUGOGO – Uganda Cranes head coach Abdallah Mubiru has named his team that will take on Somalia in the CHAN second-round qualifiers this evening.
The Police FC tactician who replaced Sebastien Desabre earlier this month, on an interim basis, has named a strong starting line-up featuring only two changes to the side that started the first leg.
Proline FC defender Mustafa Mujuzi has been brought in to replace Timothy Awany, one of the two players that are no longer ineligible to take part. Mujuzi has also been handed the armband which Awany wore last week.
The other change sees Saddam Juma replace Tadeo Lwanga in midfield. Tadeo is also poised to seal a move to either Algeria or Egypt, thus deeming him ineligible.
Charles Lukwago who was highly tipped to start in between the sticks has been given the node once again, ahead of 2018/19 StarTimes Uganda Premier League best custodian James Alitho.
Lukwago will be shielded by a back four of team captain-Mujuzi, John Revita, Paul Willa and 20-year-old Mustapha Kizza.
In Midfield, just like he usually lines up his Police FC club side, Mubiru has gone for a three-man set-up.
Saddam will anchor the center of the park with Allan Kayiwa and Muzamir Mutyaba playing in front of him.
The three in the attack are all KCCA FC players with Allan Kyambadde and Allan Okello playing either side of Patrick Kaddu.
Uganda has in recent times been consistent during qualification for CHAN.
After losing to Tanzania in the second round of qualification and in the process, failing to reach the first edition of the finals in 2009, the Cranes have not failed to seal a spot in any of the last four finals (2011, 2014, 2016 and 2018).
To reach the last edition in Morocco, Uganda defeated South Sudan 5-1 on aggregate in the first round of qualifiers before hanging on to overcome Rwanda 3-2 in the second round.
They are highly expected to reach the next phase of qualifying having won the first leg 3-1 in Djibouti last Saturday.
For Somalia, they have never reached the CHAN finals’ tournament as they either withdraw or fail to negotiate their way through the qualification process.
In 2009, they did not take part in qualification before they were hammered 6-0 by Tanzania in the first round of the 2011 qualifiers.
Once again, they did not enter qualification for both the 2014 and 2016 editions.
For the last edition in 2018, Somalia fell to South Sudan at the preliminary round of qualification, losing 4-1 on aggregate.
The winner between the two sides (Uganda and Somalia) will take on either Burundi or South Sudan. Burundi won the first game 2-0 at home.
Uganda Cranes starting XI
Charles Lukwago (GK), Paul Willa, Kizza Mustapha, John Revita, Mustafa Mujuzi (c), Saddam Juma, Allan Kayiwa, Muzamir Mutyaba, Patrick Kaddu, Allan Okello, Allan Kyambadde.
Substitutes
James Alitho, Ashraf Mandela, Patrick Mbowa, Tom Masiko, Shafik Kagimu, Dan Serunkuuma, Bright Anukani
