Following a career threatening injury, Julius Poloto has slowly and steadily returned to playing football.
The KCCA FC players suffered a nasty knee injury at the start of 2019 only to return late-last year.
Having captained both the national U17 and U20 teams, at one stage and also bacome a mainstay in the KCCA FC staring team, it was frustrating for many, seeing the talented youngster on the sidelines for that long.
After a while, in and out of the Physio’s room, Poloto returned and one or two eye-catching performances for the Kasasiros later, he was selected as part of the Cranes team preparing for the upcoming CHAN Championships in Cameroon.
His summon along with a few others, raised eyebrows in the football fraternity as many claimed the KCCA FC vice captain had not played enough football to make the provisional squad.
Like the humble and determined fella he is, Poloto has keep his head low and put hands to the task ahead.
Poloto took to the pitch and gym, and has been with the squad at GEMS Cambridge facility in Luzira since day one.
It was never going to be an easy start as Poloto had never worked with Cranes coach Johnathan McKinstry who replaced Sebastien Desabre last year.
“First of all i feel good that after a while, i am back with the national team, noted the humble Poloto when asked for a brief interview with PML Daily.
“I am happy that I am with the team that is preparing for the upcoming CHAN tournament and I will continue working extremely hard so as to make the final squad.
“We are training extremely well and i am also trying to understand the team’s style of play under Johnathan McKinstry because it is the first time working under him and his staff.
“He has a different style and philosophy that he wants us to implement in Cameroon and that is what i am also trying to grasp.”
With each passing day, Poloto and his Cranes’ teammates see their chances of taking part in the CHAN tournament reduce due to the Coronavirus.
The Virus that has killed over 5,000 people in the world is slowly integrating its self in Africa and particularly West Africa where Cameroon is situated.
It is highly expected that a decision on whether to hold it next month, as earlier planed, or abandon it, will be made by CAF in the next few days.
However, the Cranes and Poloto are adamant and stress they will continue preparing for the tournament and let the authorities decide the next step.
“We are not thinking about what may happen tomorrow or whether the tournament may be cancelled, noted Cranes head coach when asked about the concerns of Coronavirus.
“Me and everyone in the team are concentrating on training and getting the squad ready for Cameroon.”
The team is expected to return to the GEMS Cambridge facility in Luzira where they have been training for the past two weeks.
On Friday, they trained at Lugogo in an effort to bring them closer to the fans.
This year will see Uganda take part in their 5th CHAN tournament.
They have never progressed past the group stages and it will be a milestone of sorts if they bid past that hurdle.
