The Uganda Cranes assistant coach, Sam Ssimbwa, has selected a squad of 29 players to feature as Uganda Cranes Select in the 2024 FUFA Super 8 Tournament, which is scheduled to start on August 2, 2024.
The named squad is made up of mostly local players and free agents that are out of the seven participating clubs, but some foreign players have also been included in the selected squad, which will face reigning champions SC Villa, BUL FC, Vipers SC, Kitara FC, KCCA FC, Maroons FC, and NEC FC.
The tournament, which is sponsored by MTN and Nile Special, will benefit teams that finished in the top seven of the 2023/2024 StarTimes Uganda Premier League season.
This development was confirmed by Ahmed Hussein, the FUFA Communications Director, on July 18, 2024.
According to Hussein, the selected players will be evaluated by the technical team with the aim of making the senior team for the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.
“The players in the Select squad will be assessed as well by the Uganda Cranes technical team with an eye on impressing enough to break into the senior team for the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers that start in September. The players already in the setup of the Uganda Cranes will use the chance to maintain their positions by maintaining high levels of physical and mental strength ahead of the campaign. The clubs will use the tournament to fine-tune their squads for the new season,” Hussein said.
He said that the squad will begin non-residential training on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at the Lugogo MTN Omondi Stadium, with the session expected to start at 8:00 a.m.
“Three venues will be used for the tournament: Mandela National Stadium-Namboole, St. Mary’s Stadium-Kitende and MTN Omondi Stadium-Lugogo,” Hussein added.
The Uganda Cranes Select Squad for the FUFA Super 8 Tournament includes:
Goalkeepers:
Hassan Matovu, Bashir Ssekajja, and Abdu Magada
Defenders:
Begisa James Penz, Kizito Gavin Mugweri, Tebandeke Christopher, Bwangani Amisi, Kato Samuel, Buule Warren, Matovu Faisal, and Ibrahim Juma
Midfielders:
Ronald Kayondo, Fiat Cleophus, Shafic Kakande, Moses Aliro, Isma Mugulusi, Innocent Kisolo, Godfrey Ssekibengo, Hakim Mutebi, Hassan Ssenyonjo, and Tibiita Laban
Strikers:
Bruno Bunyaga, Isaac Ogwang, Ivan Ahimbisibwe, Joseph Akandanwaho, Joseph Ssemujju, Alpha Thierry Ssali, Umar Lutalo, and Richard Basangwa
Officials:
Ssimbwa Sam Bamweyana, Uganda Cranes Assistant Head Coach; Stephen Kiggundu, Goalkeeping Coach; Ayub Balyejusa, Trainer; Geoffry Massa, Team Manager; Emmanuel Nakabago, Team Doctor; Michael Gumisiriza, Physiotherapist; Samuel Mulondo, Kit Manager; and Ronald Lusulire, Media Officer.
