Mike Mutyaba was at some point viewed as one of the best talents of his generation.
However, a string of injuries hampered his progress after sealing a lucrative move to Congolese giants TP Mazembe, forcing him to retire from football at a tender age.
A series of events followed there after and in a a few years, he surfaced in the National Futsel league where he finished as top scorer for the 2017/18 season and enabled his side, Dream FC win the title.
After a talk with KCCA FC manager Mike Mutebi in 2018, Mutyaba was advised to return to football and eventually signed a deal with the Kasasiros.
Since then, he has slowly been trying to return to his best, top scoring for the 13-time league champions during his time with them.
On Thursday, February 27-2020, Mutyaba was summoned to train with the Uganda national men’s football team, the Cranes, as part of the 34-man squad preparing for the upcoming CHAN Championships in Cameroon.
Barely a week after the team was announced, Mutyaba who has been training since Monday, has come out and claimed that his call-up was a miracle.
“Me being summoned to the national team is a miracle, noted Mutyaba after Wednesday’s training session with the Cranes.
“This is because it has always been a dream to be re-called and train with the national team.
“I would like to thank everyone that put an effort towards me achieving this.”
Mutyaba who has previously featured for Express FC and Vipers SC is part of the players that are currently training with the Cranes at GEMS Cambridge facility in Luzira.
Initially they were 34 but Police FC defender Henry Katongole was added to the fold on Tuesday.
It is highly anticipated that the squad will be trimmed to 23 players before the final tournament.
As a consequence, the players are doing all they can to make the cut and Mutyaba is no exception.
“I know it (summon) is not an automatic ticket to CHAN but we are all working hard, everyone is focused and whoever preforms during training will get the chance, continued Mutyba.
“It is not based on who you are or where you come from but it is the football that we do the talking.
“I think if i do well in the sessions, i will get a chance to be part of the final squad in Cameroon.”
Uganda is in Group B of the CHAN final tournament where they will face the likes of Morocco, Togo and Rwanda for a place in the knock-out stages.
The Cranes have never gone past the groups in their previous four tournaments.
In 2018, they finished third in their group with just a point from their three games after losing twice and drawing once.
The complete list of players summoned on Thursday
Goalkeepers
Charles Lukwago (KCCA), Joel Mutakubwa (Kyetume), Alionzi Nafian (URA), Saidi Keni (Villa), Edwin Kiwanuka Buule (Bright Stars)
Defenders
Mustafa Kizza (KCCA), Derrick Ndahiro (Villa), Samuel Kato (KCCA), Herbert Achai (KCCA), Paul Willa (Vipers), Ashraf Mandela (URA), Geoffrey Wasswa (Vipers), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers), Mbowa Patrick (URA), John Revita (KCCA), Mustafa Mujuzi (Proline)
Midfielders
Shafic Kagimu (URA), Saidi Kyeyune (URA), Bright Anukani (Proline), Paul Mucureezi (Vipers), Mike Mutyaba (KCCA), Karim Watambala (Vipers), Hassan Ssenyonjo (Wakiso Giants), David Owori (SC Villa), Ibrahim Orit (Mbarara), Julius Poloto (KCCA)
Forwards
Samson Kigozi (Police), Viane Ssekajugo (Wakiso Giants), Milton Karisa (Vipers), Joachim Ojera (URA), Fahad Bayo (Vipers), Steven Mukwala (Maroons), Cromwell Rwothomio (URA), Brian Aheebwa (Mbarara)
