Cranes raring to go versus Tanzania

TODAY: Tanzania 🇹🇿 vs Uganda 🇺🇬 6pm, Dar

Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda Cranes Coach-Sebastien Desabre and his captain Denis Onyango want to keep their winning momentum ahead of the African Cup of Nations. This is not good news for hosts Tanzania’s Taifa Stars that need a win to stand a chance of joining Uganda at the Egypt 2019 finals.

“We have prepared for the game against Tanzania like any other competitive game. Our aim is to finish on a high note and keep focused on the development of our team for June because we have already qualified to Egypt,” Desabre said after his tream arrived in Tanzania on Saturday afternoon from Egypt where they had camped for a week ahead of the last Total AFCON 2019 qualifier.

Captain and goalkeeper Onyango also stressed that they are in Dar for all three points, and aim to make it to the finals minus conceding a single goal in six qualifying games.

“It is a derby hence the importance and euphoria around it for both teams. We have to dominate the region and one of the ways is to win the game against Tanzania. As much as they want to win, we also want to win it and that makes it more interesting. We are also preparing for AFCON and this game will serve as one of the buildups,” he said.

Tanzania, seeking a return to the Cup of Nations after 39 years, have to beat Uganda, who have not conceded a goal in five matches,  on the final qualifying day in March,  to have a realistic chance.

All qualifiers are guaranteed at least $475,000 (415,000 euros) prize money.

Full Uganda Cranes squad

Goalkeepers: Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Salim Magoola (Al Hilal, South), Robert Odongkara (Adama City, Ethiopia)

Defenders: Murushid Jjuuko (Simba, Tanzania), Timothy Awany (KCCA, Uganda), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers, Uganda), Godfrey Walusimbi (Unattached), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Kirizestom Ntambi (Ethiopian Coffee), Nico Wakiro Wadada (Azam, Tanzania)

Midfielders: Khalid Aucho (Churchhill brothers, India), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Unattached), Tadeo Lwanga (Vipers, Uganda), Ibrahim Sadam Juma (KCCA, Uganda), Moses Waiswa (Vipers, Uganda), Moses Opondo (Vendsyssel FF, Denmark)

Forwards: Faruku Miya (Gorica, Croatia), Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Simba, Tanzania), Allan Kyambadde (KCCA, Uganda), Allan Okello (KCCA,Uganda), Edrisa Lubega (SV Ried, Austria), Muhammad Shaban (Raja Casablanca, Morocco), Henry Patrick Kaddu (KCCA, Uganda), Milton Karisa (MC Oujda, Morocco)

Standings

Uganda 5 4 1 0 7 0 13 – qualified

Lesotho 5 1 2 2 3 7 5

Tanzania 5 1 2 2 3 5 5

C. Verde 5 1 1 3 4 5 4

Fixtures

Mar 24: C. Verde v Lesotho, Tanzania v Uganda

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Uganda’s Africa Cup of Nations record

Host nation(s) / Year	Round	Position	GP	W	D*	L	GS	GA
1957 to  1959	Did not enter
1962	Fourth Place	4th	2	0	0	2	1	5
1963	Withdrew
1965	Did not qualify
1968	Group Stage	8th	3	0	0	3	2	8
1970 to  1972	Did not qualify
1974	Group Stage	6th	3	0	1	2	3	5
1976	Group Stage	8th	3	0	0	3	2	6
1978	Runners-Up	2nd	5	3	0	2	9	7
1980 to  1982	Withdrew
1984 to  1988	Did not qualify
1990	Withdrew
1992 to  2015	Did not qualify
2017	Group Stage	13th	3	0	1	2	1	3
2019 to  2023	To be determined
Total	Runners-Up	6/31	19	3	2	14	18	34

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SOURCE: FUFA MEDIA & WIKIPEDIA