The men’s national football team will begin their Dubai training camp on 5th January 2017 as they prepare for Afcon 2017 that will be held from 15 January to 4 February in Gabon.
Uganda Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic on Wednesday released the official detailed program of the Cranes preparations and will on 30 November unveil the full provisional squad to prepare for the continental showpiece as Uganda returns to the Nations Cup for the first time since 1978.
Before the Middle East camp, the Cranes will train in Tunisia from 30th December 2016 and have two confirmed international friendly matches with the Tunisia national football team, nicknamed Les Aigles de Carthage before facing Libya’s national team considered one of the stronger teams in Africa and the Arab world, particularly in recent years.
In Dubai, Uganda will be hosted by Al Wasl Football Club that a few years ago had former Argentine national team player and manager Diego Maradona was their manager.
Uganda Cranes are likely to face reigning champions Ivory Coast in a friendly in January in Dubai where the West Africans are likely to camp from as well. Another side Coach Micho’s men could face in the buildup is Nigeria.
Uganda are in group D along with 2015 Afcon finalists Ghana, seven-time record champions Egypt as well as Mali.
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The Cranes open their campaign against Ghana on 17 January at Stade de Port Gentil before facing the Pharaohs four days later at the same venue. Uganda will then take on Mali at Stade d’Oyem on 25 January.
Full Training Programme:
23rd – 25th November 2016 – Non-residential training for 25 players
26th November 2016 – Break for KCCA Vs Tusker International club friendly match
17th – 30th November 2016 – Training sessions
30th November 2016 – Provisional list of Uganda Cranes players for AFCON 2017
15th – 16th December 2016 – Non Residential training sessions
17th – 18th December 2016 – Total rest for the players
19th – 24th December 2016 – Residential training session
25th December 2016 – Christmas day (Rest)
26th December 2016 – Training resumes till 30th December 2016 in Kampala
29th December 2016 – Option for international friendly match
30th December 2016 – Team departure for Tunisia training camp
1st January 2017 – International friendly match against Libya
4th January 2017 – Uganda Cranes will play Tunisia
5th January 2017 – Traveling to Dubai camp (Al Wasl)
5th – 13th January 2017 – Dubai training camp with options of two international friendly matches between 8th and 11th November 2016
13th January 2017 – End of camp
14th January 2017 – Polishing aspect and traveling to Gabon
