Geoffrey Massa the Uganda Cranes captain, who currently plays for the Premier Soccer League side Baroka in South Africa will have to impress Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic or subsequently be dropped from the team going to the 2017 AFCON Finals in Gabon.
While releasing the provisional 40-man team on Wednesday at Fufa House Mengo, the Serbian tactician said he had eight strikers that will compete for places. Massa is seen by the technical team as a player on his last legs after delivering anonymous performances both for club and country this year.
If Muhammad ‘Jagason’ Shaban former U-17 international who has been prolific so far for local side Onduparaka in all competitions this season and Yunus Sentamu (Ilves, Finnland) or Derrick Nsibambi of Uganda league champions KCCA shone against Tunisia and Libya at Zouiten Stadium in Tunis during friendlies in January, that could well spell the end of Massa’s time leading the line for the national team.
Micho has already said he was so impressed with the performance of Shaban Muhammad in the build-up to the Congo Brazzaville match and will offer him another opportunity to show he were ready for the big stage.
“Micho has not been impressed with the performance of captain Massa,” revealed a team official.
And the Serb himself reaffirmed the rumour today saying; “We have announced squad of 40 players that will compete for places 23 players. The final group that will represent Uganda after 39 years of absence from the AFCON Finals.”
“We selected a blend of experience and youth who are the future of Ugandan football where. No body will be gifted and awarded place as from now on the counter is on zero where all 40 players are in healthy competition to earn and deserve to be in the final 23.”
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundown, South Africa), Robert Odongkara (St George, Ethiopia), Jamal Salim (El Merriekk, Sudan), Isma Watenga (Vipers, Uganda), Benjamin Ochan (KCCA, Uganda)
Defenders: Ronald Mukiibi (Östersunds FK, Sweden), Denis Iguma (Al Ahed, Lebanon), Joseph Nsubuga (SC Villa Jogoo, Uganda), Nicholas Wadada (Vipers, Uganda), Joseph Ochaya (KCCA, Uganda), Shafiq Batambuze (Tusker, Kenya), Murushid Juuko (Simba, Tanzania), Isaac Isinde (St George, Ethiopia), Timothy Dennis Awany (KCCA, Uganda), Richard Kassaga Jjuuko (URA, Uganda), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers, Uganda), Rashid ‘Mertasacker’ Toha (Onduparaka, Uganda)
Midfielders: Khalid Aucho (Baroka, South Africa), Tonny Mawejje (Knattspyrnufélagið Þróttur, Iceland), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Vipers, Uganda), Mike Azira (Colorado Rapids, USA), Geofrey ‘Baba ‘Kizito (Than Quảng Ninh, Vietnam), Kizito Kezironi (Vipers, Uganda), Muzamiru Mutyaba (KCCA, Uganda), Yassar Mugerwa (St George, Ethiopia), Ibrahim Saddam Juma (Express, Uganda), Moses Oloya (Kuban Kransnodor, Russia), William Kizito Luwagga (Rio Ave, Portugal), Godfrey ‘Jajja Walu’ Walusimbi (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Paul Mucurezi (KCCA, Uganda), Martin Kiiza (SC Villa, Uganda) and Abdulmalick Vitalis Tabu (SC Villa, Uganda)
Strikers: Faruku Miya (Standard Liege, Belgium), Geofrey Massa (Baroka, South Africa), Geofrey Sserunkuma (KCCA, Uganda), Muhammed ‘Jaggarson’ Shaban (Onduparaka, Uganda), Yunus Sentamu (Ilves, Finnland), Derrick Nsibambi (KCCA, Uganda), Edrisa Lubega (Proline, Uganda), Erisa Ssekisambu (Vipers, Uganda)
