The Cranes of will be participating at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt hoping to cause major upsets in Group A and probably advance to the next stage of the competition.

The Cranes of Uganda defeated Ivory Coast 0-1 in a pre AFCON Friendly played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday

Farouk Miya’s penalty goal was all that was needed for the Cranes to register a famous win in their last preparation match before they take to the field on 22 June against DRC.

Uganda have the right attitude and mentality to achieve under the tutelage of Sebastian Desabre. They have participated at 9 Afcons, the best finish as runner-up to hosts Ghana in 1978.

Desabre has picked his final 23-man crack squad which he believes can do the job in Egypt.

Sundowns keeper Dennis Onyango leads the list which also has inclusions of Simba striker Emmanuel Okwi, Godfrey Walusimbi currently unattached and Mike Azira of Montreal Impact, Canada.

Other options available to Desabre’s list are Faruku Miya of HNK Gorica the goalscorer in that stunning victory against the Elephants. Also TP Mazembe defender Joseph Ochaya and Timothy Denis Awanyi also a defender at KCCA FC, Uganda.

Can Uganda go one better and win it this time or will it be a bridge too far? That victory over Ivory Coast has certainly given the team belief that they can beat anyone.

Uganda are in Group A together with hosts Egypt, Zimbabwe and DR Congo.

Full squad:

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 (Unattached), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Timothy Denis Awanyi (KCCA FC, Uganda), Godfrey Walusimbi (Unattached).

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).

Kelvin Trudeau Musako

Football Journalist | TotalEnergies AFCON 2021 Photographer | Media Officer - Kabwe Warriors FC | Graphic Designer | Videographer