CHAN 2024: Uganda Cranes trim squad as Onyango boosts technical team

The Uganda Cranes technical team has officially trimmed its provisional squad for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), dropping 12 players as the team intensifies preparations ahead of the tournament.

The changes were confirmed by co-coaches Morley Byekwaso and Fred Muhumuza after a training session held at Prisons Ground in Luzira last Friday. The revised squad has now moved into residential camp as the countdown to the continental showpiece begins.

Among the most notable omissions is Vipers SC captain Milton Karisa, who has failed to recover in time from an injury sustained in recent weeks. Paul Mucureezi of NEC FC, a late addition who had replaced the injured James Bogere, has also been dropped.

The SC Villa trio of Charles Lwanga, David Owori, and Aslam Ssemakula have not made the cut either, while KCCA’s Saidi Mayanja and goalkeeper Mutwalibu Mugolofa were also excluded.

Others shown the exit include James Begisa, Enock Walusimbi, Baden Mujahid, Emmanuel Alex Wasswa, and Jacob Okao, all of whom were part of earlier training sessions.

In a major development, legendary former captain Denis Onyango has joined the technical team on a temporary basis as the goalkeeping coach. Currently back in Uganda from South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, Onyango is expected to work with the squad during the final stages of preparation.

The Uganda Cranes will be facing a tough schedule in the CHAN tournament, with group matches lined up as follows:

Algeria – August 4

Guinea – August 8

Niger – August 11

South Africa – August 18

Final Uganda Cranes CHAN Squad:

Goalkeepers:

Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC)

Chrispas Kusima (Kitara FC)

Denis Kiggundu (Vipers SC)

Hannington Ssebalwanyo (NEC FC)

Defenders:

Gavin Kizito (KCCA FC)

Lazaro Bwambale (KCCA FC)

Herbert Achayi (Express FC)

Gideon Odong (NEC FC)

Rogers Torach (Vipers SC)

Hilary Mukundane (Vipers SC)

Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC)

Arnold Odongo (SC Villa)

Ronald Otti (Kitara FC)

Midfielders:

Shamir Kimwero (NEC FC)

Marvin Youngman (Vipers SC)

Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC)

Elvis Ngondwe (SC Villa)

Allan Okello (Vipers SC)

Patrick Kakande (SC Villa)

Jerome Kirya (BUL FC)

Enock Ssebagala (NEC FC)

Abdu Karim Watambala (Vipers SC)

Forwards:

Emmanuel Anyama (KCCA FC)

Ivan Ahimbisibwe (KCCA FC)

Usama Arafat (KCCA FC)

Shafik Nana Kiwikiriza (KCCA FC)

Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC)

Yunus Sentamu (Vipers SC)

Reagan Mpande (SC Villa)

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