AFCON Qualifiers: 'Derbies are never easy but we know our target and ready to offer everything'

It is full house for Uganda Cranes in Egypt as the team prepares to face Tanzania in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers.

The last player to join the camp at Mercure Hotel in Ismailia, Egypt was assistant captain Khalid Aucho.

The defensive midfielder who plies his trade at Young Africans in Tanzania arrived in Egypt on Wednesday morning and was received by National Teams’ Officer Paul Mukatabala.

Aucho’s arrival means 26 of the 27 players who were summoned are now in camp with the exception of Sadat Happy Anaku who was ruled out due to injury.

#UGATAN @UgandaCranes training at Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia City on Wednesday evening pic.twitter.com/kJkEtXGEos

— FUFA (@OfficialFUFA) March 22, 2023

Upon arrival, Aucho indicated he is ready to offer full commitment and work with the rest of the players to deliver success.

“I’m happy to find everyone in camp geared towards the forthcoming games against Tanzania. Definitely derbies are never easy but we all know our target and ready to offer everything in our means as players.” He said.

Uganda will play Tanzania on Friday, 24th March at Suez Canal Authority Stadium before the two teams face off again four days later in Dar es Salaam.

Uganda Cranes Squad in Egypt

Goalkeepers
Alionzi Nafian (URA FC, Uganda), Lukwago charles (St. George, Ethiopia), Magoola Salim Omar (GK) (Richards Bay FC, South Africa)

Defenders
Torach Rogers (Vipers SC, Uganda), Begisa James Penz (URA FC, Uganda), Mulondo Livingstone (Vipers SC, Uganda), Lwaliwa Halidi (FK Bregalnica, North Macedonia), Semakula Kenneth (SC Villa, Uganda), Kizito Gavin (Al Ittihad Alexandria SC, Egypt), Kayondo Abdu Aziizi (CD Leganes, Spain), Awany Timothy (SC Ironi Ashdod, Israel)

Midfielders
Ssentamu Siraje (Vipers SC, Uganda), Okello Allan (KCCA FC, Uganda), Mugisha Rogers (UPDF FC, Uganda), Aucho Khalid (Yanga SC, Tanzania), Byaruhanga Bobosi (Austin FC, USA), Sserwadda Steven (New York Red Bull II, USA), Mugulusi Isma (Makedonikos FC, Greece), Miya Farouk (Caykur Rizerspor, Turkey)

Forwards
Mato Rogers (KCCA FC, Uganda), Mutyaba Travis (SC Villa, Uganda),Okwi Emmanuel (Erbil SC, Iraq), Ochaya Joseph (Al Makawdoon Al Arab SC, Egypt), Mukwala Steven (Asante Kotoko, Ghana), Bayo Fahad (MFK, Vyskov, Czech Republic), Basangwa Richard (Wadi Degla SC, Egypt)