- Thursday December 26, 2024
- Hamz stadium, Nakivubo 6pm
All road lead to Hamz stadium, Nakivubo where Uganda Cranes face off with Burundi in the first leg of the CHAN 2024 qualifiers.
Uganda is already qualified as part of the three hosts alongside Tanzania and Kenya but Burundi is fighting for the remaining slot from the CECAFA region.
To get here, Burundi got a walkover over Somalia who withdrew from the qualification for the tournament.
The two fixtures will test Paul Put’s charges for the readiness ahead of the final tournament which will kick off on February 01st next year.
Allan Okello said: We are well prepared, and everyone is fit to play. With the teamwork and unity within the team, we will do our best to achieve good results. Thanks to the guidance of our coaches, we have come to understand each other better, which has been excellent preparation for the final tournament of CHAN 2025. We will not take the game lightly; our focus is to win and bring joy to our fans.’
Paul Put said: We’ve worked very hard in a short period of time to prepare the team. We’ve brought in many new players, but I’m glad they’ve been adaptive and ready. The players are motivated and focused, eagerly waiting for the match.”
Burundi had to face Somalia in the preliminary round but got a bye to the stage after the withdraw of Somalis from the tournament.
The Uganda Cranes Squad
Goalkeepers: Hannington Ssebwalunyo (NEC FC), Mutwalibi Mugolofa (KCCA FC) Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC)
Defenders: Gavin Kizito Mugweri (KCCA FC), Gideon Odongo (NEC FC), Moses Aliro (URA FC), Derrick Ndahiro (Vipers SC), Enock Walusimbi (URA FC), Arnold Odong (SC Villa), Rogers Torach (Vipers SC), Hillary Mukundane (Vipers SC)
Midfielders: Joel Sserujongi (KCCA FC), Enock Ssebagala (NEC FC), Allan Okello (Vipers SC), Saidi Mayanja (KCCA FC) Abdu Karim Watambala (Vipers SC), Paul Patrick Mbowa (Vipers SC)
Forwards: Hakim Kiwanuka (SC Villa), Milton Karisa (Vipers SC), Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa), Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (KCCA FC), Ivan Ahimbisibwe (URA FC), Isaac Ogwang (Police FC), James Jarieko (NEC FC), Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC) and Samuel Ssenyonjo (Express FC)