After suffering defeat to Algeria in their opening match in the TotalEnergies CHAN 2024 campaign, the Uganda Cranes resumed preparations with a recovery session held on Tuesday evening at the FUFA Stadium, Kadiba.
The Cranes suffered a 3-0 defeat to North African giants Algeria in their opening Group C match on Monday night at the Mandela National Stadium, a result that left fans and players equally disappointed, and a poor show again could see the team fail to qualify for the next stage of the tournament.
Turning their focus to Friday’s crucial clash against Guinea, the team regrouped at the newly built Kadiba facility, located in Mengo, Rubaga Division, Kampala. The FIFA-funded project, launched in 2018, is one of the modern football infrastructure additions to Ugandan football.
The technical staff on the team used the session to address the shortcomings from the Algeria match, with a key emphasis on sharpening attacking efficiency and improving defensive shape and concentration.
Group C action continues on Friday, August 8th, with Algeria facing South Africa in the early kickoff before Uganda squares off with Guinea in the second fixture of the day—an encounter that could prove pivotal in the Cranes’ quest to reach the knockout stage.
Full Uganda Cranes Squad – CHAN 2024
Goalkeepers: Denis Kiggundu [Vipers SC], Joel Mutakubwa [BUL FC] and Chrispas Kusiima [Kitara FC]
Defenders: Arnold Odong [SC Villa], Nicholas Mwere [BUL FC], Gideon Odong [NEC FC], Herbert Achai [KCCA FC], Rogers Torach [Vipers SC], Lazaro Muhindo [KCCA FC], Hilary Mukundane [Vipers SC] and Kizito Gavin [KCCA FC].
Midfielders: Joseph Youngman Marvin [Vipers SC], Elvis Ngonde [SC Villa], Patrick Jonah Kakande [SC Villa], Allan Okello [Vipers SC], Joel Sserunjogi [KCCA FC], Enock Ssebagala [Vipers SC] and Abdu Karim Watambala [Vipers SC].
Forwards: Jude Ssemugabi [Kitara FC], Ivan Ahimbisibwe [KCCA FC], Arafat Kiza Usama [KCCA FC], Yunus Junior Sentamu [Vipers SC], Reagan Mpande [SC Villa], Emmanuel Anyama [KCCA FC] and Shafik Nana Kwikiriza [KCCA FC].
To entice the team, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni pledged a staggering Shs 1.2 billion for every match they win in the tournament, meaning they missed the money after losing the first match.
