CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup
Somalia vs Uganda
StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo
Monday, 09-12-2019 @4pm
LUGOGO – The Uganda Cranes will be hoping to make it a perfect six (points) from their opening two games when they take on Somalia in their second game of the 2019 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup on Monday.
Johnathan McKinstry’s side held on to defeat Burundi 2-1 on Saturday and climbed top of group A. Bright Anukani and Fahad Bayo got Uganda’s goals in a game.
Ahead of Monday’s game, not so many changes are expected to be made to the side that beat the Swallows.
With the game coming exactly 48 hours after the first one, McKinstry is concerned about the fitness of his players.
“It is a very short time to recover as we have a game on Monday yet we played a one on Saturday, noted the North Irishman.
“We are just praying the guys who played the first game have got enough time to recover as it is impossible to recover to 100% but we have been trying to get them to at least 90%.
“For the players who didn’t play against Burundi, we have been making sure they are in the best shape possible.
The Cranes looked convincing in the first half against Burundi but it was different as the game neared its end as the Swallows asked more questions.
However, McKinstry’s side held on to register a perfect start to the campaign.
Against Somalia, they will once again be favourites but McKinstry is not getting carried away by the tag.
“All in all, we are looking forward to the game because Somalia will give us a good test.
“They got a point in their first game and have a lot of foreign-based players.
“They are currently on the rise in the last few years and also have decent players. It is a different kind of game but we are ready for the task ahead.
Uganda has always gotten the better of Somalia in the last few years.
In all four of their last meetings, Uganda has triumphed, winning all games by scoring three or more goals.
The two sides met in the 2020 CHAN qualifiers this year with Uganda winning the tie 7-2 on aggregate.
Somalia head into the game joint second in group A following their 0-0 draw with Djibouti on Saturday.
The other game on Monday will see Burundi take on Eritrea at 1:30pm.
After the game against Somalia, Uganda will next face Ethiopia and Djibouti.
The CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup results so far
Group A
-Djibouti 0-0 Somalia
-Uganda 2-1 Burundi
Group B
-Zanzibar 1-1 Sudan
-Kenya 1-0 Tanzania
The Cranes 20-man Squad for CECAFA 2019
Goalkeepers
Charles Lukwago (KCCCA FC) and Joel Mutakubwa (Kyetume FC)
Defenders
Paul Willa (Vipers SC), Mustafa Kizza (KCCA FC), John Revita (KCCA FC), Musitafa Mujuzi (Proline FC), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers SC) (Capt), Paul Mbowa (URA FC)
Midfielders
Shafiq Kagimu (URA FC), Karim Watambala (Vipers SC), Nicolas Kasozi (KCCA FC), Bright Anukani (Proline FC), Muzamiru Mutyaba (KCCA FC)
Forwards
Allan Okello (KCCA FC), Viane Sekajugo (Wakiso Giants), Joachiam Ojera (URA FC), Ben Ocen (Police FC), Joel Madondo (Busoga United), Fahad Bayo (Vipers SC), Steven Mukwala (Maroons FC)
