By Spy Uganda
The Uganda Cranes delegation is in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi for the crucial FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 group E qualifier against the hosts.
The delegation reached Jomo Kenyatta International Airport from Addis Ababa aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 308 and at the Airport, they were received by the national teams’ officer who was the advance party in Nairobi for the team; Paul Mukatabala.
The team checked in at Tamarind Tree Hotel, along Langata Road in Nairobi and will be expected to train later in the afternoon.
Twenty players who left the Bahir Dar base were joined by Isaac Muleme (Viktoria Žižkov, Czech Republic), Mustapha Kizza (CF Montréal, Canada), and Derrick Nsibambi (Smouha, Egypt), all who joined the team in Nairobi.
Addressing the media, moments after arriving at the Airport, head coach Milutin Sredojevic anticipated an explosive match that will be determined by the slightest details.
‘’This will be one more episode of the unending derby between Uganda and Kenya. I am happy to be coming here to Nairobi. It is a measurement of test and character. It will be a very tough match. There is too much at stake. It is very hard to play against players that you know. We shall be playing a team that has a very big advantage. Our league is in recess because of the offseason. It will be a match where small details will decide. We shall be doing everything that those details go our way,’’ Micho noted.
Team captain Emmanuel Arnold Okwi expressed readiness to face Kenya in the traditional derby encounter.
‘’We are set to face Kenya in this do or die game. We need maximum points to have a good start in the qualifiers,’’ Okwi told the media.
The leader of the delegation Issa Magoola Kakaire, also an Executive Committee member of FUFA and a delegation expressed delight upon the leadership of the FUFA president Hon Eng. Moses Magogo, the Government, technical members, players, sponsors and other key partners in the preparatory process of the national team.
‘‘I want to thank the FUFA leadership right from the top where the president Hon. Eng. Moses Magogo for the wise mentorship skills. In a special way, I applaud the coaches, players, media, sponsors and other partners. I thank Ethiopia Football who hosted us well while in Bahir Dar and Addis Ababa. Also, the Kenyan Federation has done well to receive us,” Magoola expressed.
The team will rest until the afternoon for the first training session in Kenya and the match is on Thursday, 2nd September 2021 at 4pm
Uganda Cranes Players In Nairobi, Kenya:
Goalkeepers: Isima Watenga (Chippa United, South Africa), Charles Lukwago (KCCA, Uganda), Joel Mutakubwa (Express, Uganda)
Defenders: Enock Walusimbi (Express, Uganda), Joseph Benson Ochaya (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers, Uganda), Murushid Juuko (Express, Uganda), Innocent Wafula (Mbarara City, Uganda), Denis Iguma (KCCA, Uganda), Gavin Kizito Mugweri (SC Villa, Uganda), Abdul Aziizi Kayondo (Vipers, Uganda), Isaac Muleme (Viktoria Žižkov, Czech Republic), Mustapha Kizza (CF Montréal, Canada).
Midfielders: Khalid Aucho (Young Africans, Tanzania), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Vipers, Uganda), Moses Waiswa (SuperSport United, South Africa), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers, Uganda).
Forwards: Yunus Sentamu (Vipers, Uganda), Milton Karisa (Vipers, Uganda), Emmanuel Arnold Okwi – Captain, Richard Basangwa (Vipers, Uganda), Steven Desse Mukwala (URA, Uganda), Derrick Nsibambi (Smouha, Egypt).
