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Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Football experts have predicted a bright future in the new transformed Uganda Cranes squad.
The new squad is comprised of players from different clubs in the Uganda Premier League and a few players from Uganda Hippos who recently played the U-20 Afcon finals.
The experts say, despite losing to South Africa last week, they expect improvements ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.
Some of the new faces in the squad include Abdul Aziizi Kayondo, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Isma Muguluusi, Steven Sserwadda and Derrick Kakooza. Head coach Mubiru believes they tested competitive football in the tournament and he expects good performance from them.
James Odoch, former Cranes player said the new strategy is promising because it has talented young players, he said that FUFA just needs to maintain the players.
Andy Lule, also former Uganda Cranes player said that Uganda has a lot of hope in the new team. He says that the young players just need experience in a few games and they will register glory for Uganda.
Lule however pointed out Uganda’s tricky group stage in World Cup qualifiers. He says that Uganda’s opponents need new and committed players.
Nicholas Kajura, a Cranes fan says the team is interesting and promising, he said if it is maintained, it will register positive results. He however said they will need to mix in a few other experienced players.
“I like the way that team played and I have been praying for that performance, however, I think they will have to add in a few experienced players to balance it well during the qualifiers,” Kajura said.
Allan Okello, one of the young players on the team said the pressure is now on their shoulders because the experienced players have played their part.
Uganda recently failed to qualify for AFCON 2021 after losing to Malawi in the last qualifier game.
The Cranes have lost three experienced players to retirement. They include former Captain Denis Onyango, Hassan Wasswa and Mike Azira, while some senior players were not selected.
They include Timothy Awany, Joseph Ochaya, Khalid Aucho, Nicholas Wadada, Farouk Miya, Salim Jamal and Kizito Luwagga.
Uganda’s rivals in Group E include Kenya, Rwanda and Mali. The World Cup qualifiers were initially supposed to take place in June this year, however due to the Covid-19 outbreak, CAF postponed the games to September.
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