After having a successful Pre-CHAN mini tournament in Cameroon, Uganda Cranes Head Coach Johnathan Mckinstry finally confirmed his 25-man squad for the forth coming 2020 Total Championship of Africa Nations (CHAN) Finals to be held in Cameroon from 16th January to 7th February 2021.

In Cameroon, Uganda Cranes played three games wining 2-0 against Zambia, 3-0 against Niger and drawing 1-1 with Cameroon and it’s after this tournament that Mckinstry made the conclusions on who will be a part of Uganda Cranes’ mission at Africa’s second biggest football nations’ tournament where they will be playing for the fourth consecutive time.

 In the many decisions reached by Mckinstry, Vipers Sports Club Defender Halid Lwaliwa who was Cranes Captain as the Cranes lifted the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in 2019 was named as Team Captain a head of the likes of KCCA Football Club goal keeper Charles Lukwago,  Police Football Club Midfielder Tonny Mawejje and KCCA Football Club Defender Dennis Iguma.

Speaking on his decision on why Lwaliwa was his choice for skipper Mckinstry said:

“As our Captain, he had served so well over the last year, including breaking into the Senior Cranes team.”

The other talk about the squad is Mckinstry’s decision of selecting a number of exciting youngsters but with the notable and controversial omission of URA Football Club forward Steven Mukwala.

Mukwala was last season’s top scorer while playing for Maroons Football Club.

Among the youngsters in Mckinstry’s squad include KCCA FC Midfielder Bright Anukani, Police Football Club goal keeper Ikara Tom, Vipers Football Club Midfielders Byaruhanga Bobosi and Watambala Abdu Karim, KCCA FC Forward Brian Aheebwa and URA Football Club Forward Ojera Joackiam.

Many of the above have showed glimpses of brilliance while playing for their teams.

Aheebwa for example have been on thrilling form for his team KCCA, scoring 10 goals in 6 games this season. Before the league took the break after 5 games, he had already 7 goals to his name and also scored KCCA FC’s 3 goals against AS Kigali on Wednesday 6th, January, 2021 at the St. Mary Stadium in the CAF Confederation Cup qualifier game.

CHAN is Aheebwa’s first tournament at a big stage but his calm and composed presence with outstanding use of the ball both as a scorer and a creator might be the backbone of Uganda Cranes’ attacking options.

In the squad we also witnessed Mckinstry revisiting the old guards by naming experienced midfielders Tonny Mawejje and Saidi Kyeyune as well as Dennis Iguma.

The two have been a main factor and done convincingly enough for their teams in the league and will clearly give the team the desired leadership and balance when called up on at any stage of the championship.

The final 25 man Squad with their clubs and shirt numbers in brackets.

Goalkeepers: Charles Lukwago (KCCA FC, 1), Joel Mutakubwa (Kyetume FC, 18), Nafian Alionzi Legason (URA FC, 19) Tom Ikara (Police C, 20)

Defenders: Hassan Muhamud (Police FC, 2), Abdu Aziizi Kayondo (Vipers SC, 3), Musitafa Mujuzi (Kyetume FC, 4), Eric Ssenjobe (Police FC, 5), Denis Iguma (KCCA FC, 12), Paul Willa (Vipers SC, 15), Halid Lwaliwa _ Captain (Vipers SC, 21), Paul Patrick Mbowa (URA FC, 24)

Midfielders: Tonny Mawejje (Police FC, 6), Shafik Kuchi Kagimu (URA FC, 8), Bright Anukani (KCCA FC, 14), Saidi Kyeyune (URA FC, 16), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Vipers SC, 22), Abdu Karim Watambala (Vipers SC, 25)

Forwards: Joackiam Ojera (URA FC, 7), Brian Aheebwa (KCCA FC, 9), Ben Ocen (Police FC, 10), Viane Ssekajugo (Wakiso Giants FC, 11), Ibrahim Orit Ibrahim (Vipers SC, 13), Muhammad Shaban Jagason (Vipers SC, 17), Milton Karisa (Vipers SC, 23)

The Cranes are currently camped in Douala ahead of the group stage matches where they will play alongside the defending Champions Morocco, Rwanda and Togo.